discourse

[dis-kawrs, -kohrs, dis-kawrs, -kohrs, dis-kawrs, -kohrs]

noun

1. communication of thought by words; talk; conversation.

   earnest and intelligent discourse.

   Synonyms: parley, chat, dialogue, colloquy, discussion

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)

discoursed, discoursing 

1. to communicate thoughts orally; talk; converse.

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

verb (used with object)

discoursed, discoursing 

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

discourse

noun

1. verbal communication; talk; conversation

2. a formal treatment of a subject in speech or writing, such as a sermon or dissertation

3. a unit of text used by linguists for the analysis of linguistic phenomena that range over more than one sentence

4. archaic,  the ability to reason or the reasoning process

verb

1. (intr; often foll by on or upon) to speak or write (about) formally and extensively

2. (intr) to hold a discussion

3. archaic,  (tr) to give forth (music)

Other Word Forms

• discourser noun
• prediscourse noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of discourse¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English discours, from Medieval Latin discursus (spelling by influence of Middle English cours “course”), Late Latin: “conversation,” Latin: “a run back and forth,” noun use of past participle of discurrere “to run about,” from dis- dis- ¹ + currere “to run”

Word History and Origins

Origin of discourse¹

C14: from Medieval Latin discursus argument, from Latin: a running to and fro, from discurrere to run different ways, from _dis- ¹ + currere to run

Example Sentences

The label said it had "a duty to speak up" and "encourage public discourse", because AI is proliferating at an "alarming rate and substantially outpacing regulation".

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Public universities are also taking steps to promote civic education and robust civil discourse.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Musical discourse, even more than musical performance, was a hallmark of Music Inn.

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The debate over secularism - broadly, the principle that religion and government institutions should be separate - has played a significant role in the province's public discourse for almost two decades.

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The threat of a looming, if ill-defined, stand-off with Russia has become part of France's national discourse.

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Related Words

• communication 
• conversation 
• discussion 
• essay 
• lecture 
• monologue 
• rhetoric 
• speech 
• treatise