DISCOURSE Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

discourse

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

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

communication of thought by words; talk; conversation:
earnest and intelligent discourse.
Synonyms: , , , ,
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)

discoursed, discoursing.

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

verb (used with object)

discoursed, discoursing.

to utter or give forth (musical sounds).

discourse

noun

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

intr; often foll by on or upon to speak or write (about) formally and extensively
intr to hold a discussion
archaic.
tr to give forth (music)

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Derived Forms

�徱��ˈ��ǳܰ��, noun

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Other �y��vlog Forms

�徱��·��ǳܰ��İ� noun
��·�徱��c�ǳܰ�� noun

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�y��vlog 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 “c�ǳܰ��”), Late Latin: “c�ǲԱ��پ��ǲ�,” 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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�y��vlog 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.

There's now, of course, a discourse about whether one is abandoning the fight or if it's more effective to fight from exile.

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Like their male counterparts in online Christian discourse, Halili and Reitsma don't seem much interested in Christian doctrines about feeding the poor, healing the sick or welcoming the stranger.

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At La Placita, he opened the church’s doors to shelter migrant youth during a time of tense discourse about immigration, and federal officials accused him of promoting illegal behavior.

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But he drove the level of discourse down by more than a few notches.

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But there is also a rising discourse around the need to strengthen the fabric of our communities by connecting with our neighbors, making libraries one of the most effective “third places” in American life.

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