7 results for: Discourse

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

dis·course

Audio Help [n. dis-kawrs, -kohrs, dis-kawrs, -kohrs; v. dis-kawrs, -kohrs] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, -coursed, -cours·ing.

–noun

1.	communication of thought by words; talk; conversation: earnest and intelligent discourse.

2.	a formal discussion of a subject in speech or writing, as a dissertation, treatise, sermon, etc.

3.	Linguistics. any unit of connected speech or writing longer than a sentence.

–verb (used without object)

4.	to communicate thoughts orally; talk; converse.

5.	to treat of a subject formally in speech or writing.

–verb (used with object)

6.	to utter or give forth (musical sounds).

[Origin: 1325–75; ME discours < ML discursus (sp. by influence of ME cours course), LL: conversation, L: a running to and fro, equiv. to discur(rere) to run about (dis- dis-¹ + currere to run) + -sus for -tus suffix of v. action

]

—Related forms

dis·cours·er, noun

—Synonyms 1. discussion, colloquy, dialogue, chat, parley.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Discourse

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

dis·course Audio Help (dĭs'kôrs', -kōrs') Pronunciation Key
n.

Verbal expression in speech or writing.
Verbal exchange; conversation.
A formal, lengthy discussion of a subject, either written or spoken.
Archaic The process or power of reasoning.

v. (dĭ-skôrs', -skōrs') dis·coursed, dis·cours·ing, dis·cours·es

v. intr.

To speak or write formally and at length. See Synonyms at speak.
To engage in conversation or discussion; converse.

v. tr. Archaic
To narrate or discuss.

[Middle English discours, process of reasoning, from Medieval Latin discursus, from Latin, a running about, from past participle of discurrere, to run about : dis-, apart; see dis- + currere, to run; see kers- in Indo-European roots.]

dis·cours'er n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
discourse

c.1374, alteration of L. discursus "a running about," in L.L. "conversation," from stem of discurrere "run about," from dis- "apart" + currere "to run." Sense of "formal speech or writing" is first recorded 1581.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

discourse
noun
1.	extended verbal expression in speech or writing
2.	an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service) [syn: sermon]
3.	an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic; "the book contains an excellent discussion of modal logic"; "his treatment of the race question is badly biased" [syn: discussion]
verb
1.	to consider or examine in speech or writing; "The author talks about the different aspects of this question"; "The class discussed Dante's 'Inferno'"
2.	carry on a conversation [syn: converse]
3.	talk at length and formally about a topic; "The speaker dissertated about the social politics in 18th century England" [syn: hold forth]

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Discourse

Dis*course"\, n. [L. discursus a running to and fro, discourse, fr. discurrere, discursum, to run to and fro, to discourse; dis- + currere to run: cf. F. discours. See Course.]

1. The power of the mind to reason or infer by running, as it were, from one fact or reason to another, and deriving a conclusion; an exercise or act of this power; reasoning; range of reasoning faculty. [Obs.]

Difficult, strange, and harsh to the discourses of natural reason. --South.

Sure he that made us with such large discourse, Looking before and after, gave us not That capability and godlike reason To fust in us unused. --Shak.

2. Conversation; talk.

In their discourses after supper. --Shak.

Filling the head with variety of thoughts, and the mouth with copious discourse. --Locke.

3. The art and manner of speaking and conversing.

Of excellent breeding, admirable discourse. --Shak.

4. Consecutive speech, either written or unwritten, on a given line of thought; speech; treatise; dissertation; sermon, etc.; as, the preacher gave us a long discourse on duty.

5. Dealing; transaction. [Obs.]

Good Captain Bessus, tell us the discourse Betwixt Tigranes and our king, and how We got the victory. --Beau. & Fl.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Discourse

Dis*course"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Discoursed; p. pr. & vb. n. Discoursing.]

1. To exercise reason; to employ the mind in judging and inferring; to reason. [Obs.] "Have sense or can discourse." --Dryden.

2. To express one's self in oral discourse; to expose one's views; to talk in a continuous or formal manner; to hold forth; to speak; to converse.

Bid me discourse, I will enchant thine ear. --Shak.

3. To relate something; to tell. --Shak.

4. To treat of something in writing and formally.

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