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discuss - 3 dictionary results

dis⋅cuss

  [di-skuhs]
Use discuss in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to consider or examine by argument, comment, etc.; talk over or write about, esp. to explore solutions; debate: to discuss the proposed law on taxes.
2. Civil Law.
a. to collect a debt from (the person primarily liable) before proceeding against the person secondarily liable.
b. to execute against the movable property of (a debtor) before proceeding against the debtor's immovable property, as land.
3. Rare. to consume (food or drink) enthusiastically.
4. Obsolete. to make known; reveal.
Origin:
1300–50; ME (< AF discusser) < L discussus struck asunder, shaken, scattered, ptp. of discutere, equiv. to dis- dis- 1 + -cutere (comb. form of quatere to shake, strike)

Related forms:
dis⋅cuss⋅er, noun
dis⋅cuss⋅a⋅ble, dis⋅cuss⋅i⋅ble, adjective

Synonyms:
1. reason, deliberate. See argue.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To discuss
dis·cuss   (dĭ-skŭs')   
tr.v.   dis·cussed, dis·cuss·ing, dis·cuss·es
  1. To speak with another or others about; talk over.
  2. To examine or consider (a subject) in speech or writing.

[Middle English discussen, to examine, from Anglo-Norman discusser, from Latin discussus, past participle of discutere, to break up : dis-, apart; see dis- + quatere, to shake; see kwēt- in Indo-European roots.]
dis·cuss'a·ble, dis·cuss'i·ble adj., dis·cuss'er n.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to talk with others in an effort to reach agreement, to ascertain truth, or to convince. Discuss involves close examination of a subject with interchange of opinions: My therapist discussed my concerns with my parents.
Argue emphasizes the presentation of facts and reasons in support of a position opposed by others: The lawyer argued the plaintiff's case.
Debate involves formal, often public argument: The candidates debated the campaign issues.
Dispute implies differences of opinion and usually sharp argument: The senators disputed over increases in the proposed budget.
To contend is to strive in debate or controversy: She contended that her theory was easily proven.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Discuss

Dis*cuss"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Discussed; p. pr. & vb. n. Discussing.] [L. discussus, p. p. of discutere to strike asunder (hence came the sense to separate mentally, distinguish); dis- + quatere to shake, strike. See Quash.]

1. To break to pieces; to shatter. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.

2. To break up; to disperse; to scatter; to dissipate; to drive away; -- said especially of tumors.

Many arts were used to discuss the beginnings of new affection. --Sir H. Wotton.

A pomade . . . of virtue to discuss pimples. --Rambler.

3. To shake; to put away; to finish. [Obs.]

All regard of shame she had discussed. --Spenser.

4. To examine in detail or by disputation; to reason upon by presenting favorable and adverse considerations; to debate; to sift; to investigate; to ventilate. "We sat and . . . discussed the farm . . . and the price of grain." --Tennyson. "To discuss questions of taste." --Macaulay.

5. To deal with, in eating or drinking. [Colloq.]

We sat quietly down and discussed a cold fowl that we had brought with us. --Sir S. Baker.

6. (Law) To examine or search thoroughly; to exhaust a remedy against, as against a principal debtor before proceeding against the surety. --Burrill.

Syn: To Discuss, Examine, Debate. We speak of examining a subject when we ponder it with care, in order to discover its real state, or the truth respecting it. We speak of discussing a topic when we examine it thoroughly in its distinct parts. The word is very commonly applied to matters of opinion. We may discuss a subject without giving in an adhesion to any conclusion. We speak of debating a point when we examine it in mutual argumentation between opposing parties. In debate we contend for or against some conclusion or view.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : discuss
Spanish: discutir,
German: diskutieren,
Japanese: 論じる
More Translations »
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