direct discourse
[ dih-rekt-dis-kawrs, dahy- ]
noun
a representation of speech in which the speaker's exact words are repeated, as in She said, “I'm not at all hungry.”
Origin of direct discourse
1First recorded in 1845–50
- Also called di·rect speech [dih-rekt-speech, dahy-] /dɪˈrɛkt ˈspitʃ, daɪ-/ .
- Compare indirect discourse.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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