discourse
[ noun dis-kawrs, -kohrs, dis-kawrs, -kohrs; verb dis-kawrs, -kohrs ]
/ noun ˈdɪs kɔrs, -koʊrs, dɪsˈkɔrs, -ˈkoʊrs; verb dɪsˈkɔrs, -ˈkoʊrs /
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noun
communication of thought by words; talk; conversation: earnest and intelligent discourse.
a formal discussion of a subject in speech or writing, as a dissertation, treatise, sermon, etc.
Linguistics. any unit of connected speech or writing longer than a sentence.
verb (used without object), dis·coursed, dis·cours·ing.
to communicate thoughts orally; talk; converse.
to treat of a subject formally in speech or writing.
verb (used with object), dis·coursed, dis·cours·ing.
to utter or give forth (musical sounds).
OTHER WORDS FOR discourse
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Origin of discourse
1325–75; Middle English discours<Medieval Latin discursus (spelling by influence of Middle English cours course), Late Latin: conversation, Latin: a running to and fro, equivalent to discur(rere) to run about (dis-dis-1 + currere to run) + -sus for -tus suffix of v. action
OTHER WORDS FROM discourse
dis·cours·er, nounpre·dis·course, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use discourse in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for discourse
discourse
noun (ˈdɪskɔːs, dɪsˈkɔːs)
verbal communication; talk; conversation
a formal treatment of a subject in speech or writing, such as a sermon or dissertation
a unit of text used by linguists for the analysis of linguistic phenomena that range over more than one sentence
archaic the ability to reason or the reasoning process
verb (dɪsˈkɔːs)
Derived forms of discourse
discourser, nounWord Origin for discourse
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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