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View synonyms for

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: , , , ,

  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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • 徱ˈdzܰ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • 徱·dzܰİ noun
  • ·徱cdzܰ noun
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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 “cdzܰ”), Late Latin: “cDzԱپDz,” Latin: “a run back and forth,” noun use of past participle of discurrere “to run about,” from dis- dis- 1 + currere “to run”
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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
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The college said it would aim to ensure applicants are evaluated based on their ability to "engage constructively with different perspectives, show empathy and participate in civil discourse".

From

Vietnamese media and online discourse are tightly controlled, and there are no national surveys that include uncensored opinions about the government.

From

In recent weeks, there has been discourse around the routineness of these trophy days.

From

Jake Tilk, and his brother, Max Tilk, who is on the autism spectrum, largely avoid that political discourse in their social media videos where they share what their day-to-day life looks.

From

It was a stance that the Rev. Munther Isaac, a Lutheran pastor in Bethlehem, saw as a counterweight to the muscular brand of conservative Christianity increasingly dominating U.S. discourse on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

From

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discouragementdiscourse analysis