disquisition
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of disquisition
1595–1605; < Latin disquīsītiōn- (stem of disquīsītiō ), equivalent to disquīsīt ( us ) (past participle of disquīrere to investigate; dis- dis- 1 + quaerere to seek, ask) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
Disquisition is a long and elaborate word to describe a long and elaborate analysis of a given topic. If you launch into a disquisition about toe jam at a party, you'll soon be talking to a wall. If you write a paper that looks at every single aspect of a topic, that essay can be called a disquisition. If you have a strong interest in something, chances are your friends and family have heard you give passionate disquisitions on it. A disquisition is an incredibly thorough reporting on a topic. Think of it as a discourse or a discussion of an inquisition or long investigation.
Vocabulary lists containing disquisition
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Frankenstein
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
hard words
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Recently, at a candidates forum outside Dallas, Larry Brock expressed the following sentiments as part of a lengthy disquisition on the Muslim faith.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026
Ben manages to turn this mild inquiry into a long disquisition on her selfishness and disdain for his work.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026
The judges said: "A novel about class ascension and a man who is remarkably detached from his desires, and a disquisition on the art of being alive. It is also an absolute page-turner."
From BBC • Sep. 23, 2025
Seated on a podium, looking down on journalists, Mr. Macron offered an extended, at times professorial, disquisition on the state of France and its place in a troubled world.
From New York Times • Jan. 16, 2024
What we got, however, was an elaborate disquisition on the history and architecture of the Capitol and a look at the official china patterns produced for the Senate, followed by a polite and chitchatty lunch.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
