discourse
pronunciation
How to pronounce discourse in British English:
UK [ˈdɪskɔːs , dɪsˈkɔːs]
How to pronounce discourse in American English:
US [ˈdɪskɔːrs , dɪsˈkɔːrs]
-
- 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
-
- Verb:
- to consider or examine in speech or writing
- carry on a conversation
- talk or hold forth formally about a topic
Word Origin
- discourse
- discourse: see course
- discourse (n.)
- late 14c., "process of understanding, reasoning, thought," from French discours, from Latin discursus "a running about," in Late Latin "conversation," from past participle stem of discurrere "run about," from dis- "apart" (see dis-) + currere "to run" (see current (adj.)). Sense of "formal speech or writing" is first recorded 1580s.
- discourse (v.)
- 1540s, from discourse (n.). Related: Discoursed; discoursing.
Example
- 1. A discourse is the statements or talk constituting a social language about a subject .
- 2. And tales about michael jordan found their way into the man 's literary discourse .
- 3. The entire discourse about religion stems from those who think they know more than the other guy .
- 4. It is this time that the discourse about the digital divide emerges .
- 5. Embryos and fetuses are the most charged subject in american political discourse .