disquisition

American  

[dis-kwuh-zish-uhn] / ˌdɪs kwəˈzɪʃ ən /

noun

1. a formal discourse or treatise in which a subject is examined and discussed; dissertation.

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disquisition British  

/ ˌdɪskwɪˈzɪʃən /

noun

1. a formal written or oral examination of a subject

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Other Word Forms

• disquisitional adjective

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

Example Sentences

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

Ben manages to turn this mild inquiry into a long disquisition on her selfishness and disdain for his work.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

But American audiences still tend to be fed documentaries of only a few types: true crime stories, cult exposés, hagiographies, and educational disquisitions full of talking heads.

From New York Times

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