discourse

[ noun dis-kawrs, -kohrs, dis-kawrs, -kohrs; verb 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)

, dis·coursed, dis·cours·ing.

1. to communicate thoughts orally; talk; converse.
2. to treat of a subject formally in speech or writing.

verb (used with object)

, dis·coursed, dis·cours·ing.

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)

Derived Forms

• disˈcourser, noun

Other Words From

• dis·courser noun
• pre·discourse 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

They have become so disdainful of the essentials of political practice in a democratic society — a baseline attachment to the rule of law and honesty in political discourse — that they mock the very idea of accountability on these questions.

From Vox

She explained that it goes back a bit to the level of discourse.

From Search Engine Land

Like WeChat WeiBo and there was a flourishing of online activity and online public discourse that caused the censorship systems to lag behind.

From MIT Technology Review

This week’s new normal of a well-produced Democratic National Convention was a first—no hot-air balloons and random speakers but also no impromptu discourse.

From Fortune

Take, for example, a recent paper that makes the case that the behavioral sciences can “promote truth, autonomy and democratic discourse online.”

From Nautilus

His discourse is now more detailed: submission, which is the meaning of islam in Arabic, gives him a kind of enjoyment.

From The Daily Beast

Great American leaders have long contributed profound thoughts of tremendous consequence to the public discourse.

From The Daily Beast

And his pitiless beliefs would be no stranger to the political discourse of today.

From The Daily Beast

The dire fatalism that dominated the discourse then is gone, replaced largely with a practiced apathy.

From The Daily Beast

Read today, the speech still vibrates with a passionate intensity rarely found in any contemporary political discourse.

From The Daily Beast

But to wave this discourse of Heathens, how many self-contradicting principles are there held among Christians?

From Project Gutenberg

Not a bit of it, replied the Dodger, stopping the subject of discourse as Mr. Chitling was about to reply.

From Project Gutenberg

Then they learn to discourse eloquently on the benefits of commerce, whilst in reality they are completely indifferent to it.

From Project Gutenberg

Let your articulation be easy, clear, correct in accent, and suited in tone and emphasis to your discourse.

From Project Gutenberg

The application of this text to the legend of the Assumption is obvious, and occupied the first division of the discourse.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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