# discourse

Pronunciation: US say "DIS-kawrs" /ˈdɪs.kɔːɹs/; UK say "DIS-kaws" /ˈdɪs.kɔːs/

## Noun

1. The expression of thought in words, whether spoken or written.
   - Simple: The use of words to share ideas, by either speaking or writing.
   - _Philosophers have long studied how discourse shapes the way we understand the world._
   - _All human discourse, spoken or written, relies on shared conventions of meaning._
2. A formal, lengthy exposition of a subject, delivered as a speech or written text.
   - Simple: A long, formal talk or piece of writing about one subject.
   - _His discourse on moral philosophy ran to nearly two hundred pages._
   - _The bishop delivered a lengthy discourse on charity to the assembled crowd._
3. An institutionalized way of thinking that sets the social limits on what can be said about a given topic.
   - Simple: A set way of thinking that controls what people can say about a topic.
   - _Foucault showed how medical discourse defined who counted as sane or ill._
   - _Colonial discourse shaped which voices were treated as authoritative._
4. An exchange of spoken words between two or more people; a conversation.
   - Simple: A spoken exchange between two or more people.
   - _The evening's discourse turned to politics after dinner._
   - _She enjoyed a lively discourse with the visiting scholars._
5. Lengthy, often heated online debate over controversial subjects, especially within fandom and activist communities.
   - Simple: Long, often angry online arguments about touchy topics, common in fan and activist groups.
   - _Every season finale drags the fandom into another round of discourse._
   - _The casting announcement set off weeks of discourse across the internet._
8. A rational expression of thought; a piece of reasoning.
   - Simple: A piece of clear thinking or reasoning expressed in words.
   - _The philosopher's discourse moved logically from premise to conclusion._
   - _She admired the elegant discourse by which he justified his choice._

## Verb

Pronunciation: US say "dis-KAWRS" /dɪsˈkɔɹs/; UK say "dis-KAWS" /dɪsˈkɔːs/

6. To speak or write formally and at length on a subject.
   - Simple: To speak or write about something in a long, formal way.
   - _The visiting lecturer discoursed at length on the origins of language._
   - _He could discourse for hours about medieval architecture without notes._
7. To take part in conversation or discussion with others; to converse.
   - Simple: To talk with other people and have a conversation.
   - _The delegates discoursed amiably during the reception._
   - _Scholars gathered to discourse on the meaning of the ancient text._
9. To think things through logically, forming judgments and drawing conclusions.
   - Simple: To use the mind to think carefully and reach conclusions.
   - _She discoursed inwardly, weighing the evidence before forming a judgment._
   - _Reason allows the mind to discourse, moving from premises to inferences._

## Noun

10. The exchange of words between people in speech; conversation. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: The exchange of spoken words between people, or conversation.
   - _The ladies retired to the parlor for an hour of discourse._
   - _Their discourse ranged over poetry, politics, and the latest news._
12. Dealing or transaction; business carried on between parties. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: The business or dealings carried on between people.

## Verb

Pronunciation: US say "dis-KAWRS" /dɪsˈkɔɹs/; UK say "dis-KAWS" /dɪsˈkɔːs/

11. To debate a matter; to argue a question formally. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To debate a question by arguing different sides of it.
   - _The senators discoursed the proposed law for the better part of a week._
   - _Learned men gathered to discourse the merits of the new doctrine._
13. To produce or emit musical sounds, as an instrument or musician does. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To produce or give out musical sounds, as with an instrument.
   - _The viols discoursed a gentle melody beneath the singer's voice._
   - _Trumpets discourse a martial strain as the wedding procession enters._

## Origin

It comes from Middle English discours, borrowed from Middle French discours ('conversation, speech'), from Latin discursus ('the act of running about'). This traces back to Latin discurrō ('run about'), formed from dis- ('apart') plus currō ('run'), with the spelling later shaped by Middle French cours ('course').

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/discourse (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).