discourse
Plural: discourses
Noun
- extended verbal expression in speech or writing
- an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)
- an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
- Verbal exchange, conversation.
- Expression in words, either speech or writing.
- A conversation.
- 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).
- Lengthy, often heated debate over controversial subject matter, particularly within fandom and activist spaces. Sometimes rendered as a proper noun with the definite article (i.e. "the Discourse").
- Dealing; transaction.
Verb
- to consider or examine in speech or writing
- carry on a conversation
- talk at length and formally about a topic
- To engage in discussion or conversation; to converse.
- To write or speak formally and at length.
- To debate.
- To exercise reason; to employ the mind in judging and inferring; to reason.
- To produce or emit (musical sounds).
Examples
- The preacher gave us a long discourse on duty.
Origin / Etymology
From Middle English discours, borrowed from Middle French discours (“conversation, speech”), from Latin discursus (“the act of running about”), from Latin discurrō (“run about”), from dis- (“apart”) + currō (“run”). Spelling modified by influence of Middle French cours (“course”). Doublet of discursus.
Synonyms
converse, discuss, discussion, dissertate, hold forth, preaching, sermon, talk about, treatment, Overton window, communication, conversation, debate, dissertation, expression, lecture, norm, ratiocination, study, talk, treatise
Scrabble Score: 12
discourse: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Worddiscourse: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
discourse: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary