discourse

The definition of discourse is a discussion about a topic either in writing or face to face.

(noun)

An example of discourse is a professor meeting with a student to discuss a book.

Discourse is defined as to talk about a subject.

(verb)

An example of discourse is two politicians talking about current events.

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See discourse in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. communication of ideas, information, etc., esp. by talking; conversation
  2. a long and formal treatment of a subject, in speech or writing; lecture; treatise; dissertation
  3. Archaic ability to reason; rationality

Origin: ME & OFr discours < L discursus, discourse < pp. of discurrere, to run to and fro < dis-, from, apart + currere, to run: see current

intransitive verb discoursed, discoursing

  1. to carry on conversation; talk; confer
  2. to speak or write (on or upon a subject) formally and at some length

transitive verb

Archaic to utter or tell

Related Forms:

See discourse in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. Verbal expression in speech or writing.
  2. Verbal exchange; conversation.
  3. A formal, lengthy discussion of a subject, either written or spoken.
  4. Archaic The process or power of reasoning.
verb (dĭ-skôrsˈ, -skōrsˈ) dis·coursed, dis·cours·ing, dis·cours·es
verb, intransitive
  1. To speak or write formally and at length. See Synonyms at speak.
  2. To engage in conversation or discussion; converse.
verb, transitive
Archaic
To narrate or discuss.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English discours, process of reasoning

Origin: , from Medieval Latin discursus

Origin: , from Latin, a running about

Origin: , from

Origin: past participle of discurrere, to run about

Origin: : dis-, apart; see dis- 

Origin: + currere, to run; see kers- in Indo-European roots

.

Related Forms:

  • dis·coursˈer noun

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