Discourse
WordNet
noun
(1) Extended verbal expression in speech or writing
(2) An extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
"The book contains an excellent discussion of modal logic"
"His treatment of the race question is badly biased"
(3) An address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)
verb
(4) Talk at length and formally about a topic
"The speaker dissertated about the social politics in 18th century England"
(5) Carry on a conversation
(6) To consider or examine in speech or writing
"The article covered all the different aspects of this question"
"The class discussed Dante's `Inferno'"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
Either from discours, or a direct alteration of Late discursus "a running about," , itself from the stem of discurrere "to run about", from dis- "apart" + currere "to run".
Noun
- Verbal exchange, conversation.
- Expression in words, either speech or writing.
- A formal lengthy exposition of some subject, either spoken or written.
- Any rational expression, reason
- An institutionalized way of thinking, a social boundary defining what can be said about a specific topic (after Michel Foucault).
Synonyms
- (expression in words): communication, expression
- (verb exchange): debate, conversation, discussion, talk
- (formal lengthy exposition of some subject): dissertation, lecture, sermon, study, treatise
- (rational expression): rationcination
Verb
- To engage in discussion or conversation; to converse.
- To write or speak formally and at length.
- To debate, discuss a subject