discourse

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[edit] English

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[edit] Etymology

Either from French discours, or a direct alteration of Late Latin discursus "a running about," , itself from the stem of discurrere "to run about", from dis- "apart" + currere "to run".

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Noun

Singular
discourse

Plural
countable and uncountable; plural discourses

discourse (countable and uncountable; plural discourses)

  1. (uncountable, archaic) Verbal exchange, conversation.
  2. (uncountable) Expression in words, either speech or writing.
  3. (countable) A formal lengthy exposition of some subject, either spoken or written.
  4. (countable) Any rational expression, reason
  5. (social sciences, countable) An institutionalized way of thinking, a social boundary defining what can be said about a specific topic (after Michel Foucault).

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[edit] Translations

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[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to discourse

Third person singular
discourses

Simple past
discoursed

Past participle
discoursed

Present participle
discoursing

to discourse (third-person singular simple present discourses, present participle discoursing, simple past and past participle discoursed)

  1. (intransitive) To engage in discussion or conversation; to converse.
  2. (intransitive) To write or speak formally and at length.
  3. (obsolete) (transitive) To debate, discuss a subject

[edit] Synonyms

  • (engage in discussion or conversation): converse, talk
  • (write or speak formally and at length):

[edit] Derived terms

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[edit] See also