civil discourse
- noun
- /ˈsɪvəl ˈdɪskɔrs/
- While varying viewpoints are welcome, comments are moderated to ensure a respectful and civil discourse.
- promote civil discourse
- civil discourse and respect
- more civil discourse
The language calls for moral imagination and social healing and civil discourse.
- The language calls for moral imagination and social healing and civil discourse.
- Well, you know, do that on your own space, but observe the norms of civil discourse at at at the university.
Examples
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I think atheism might have a valuable voice to lend to civil discourse in our society.
Blog text (16) -
We get so much out of coming here and having civil discourse.
Blog text (15) -
Words do matter, and some civil discourse would be a welcome change.
Blog text (19) -
I value civil discourse so much, but it's hard to find these days.
Blog text (31) -
I'm fine with your assessment of the situation, which is civil discourse about a serious issue.
Blog text (31) -
Yeah, trying to steer the country back to civil discourse is a bit more complicated than that.
Blog text (5) -
And I agree, the Internet is not usually the place to go if you're looking for civil discourse.
Blog text (8) -
You're proving my point about civil discourse for me.
Blog text (31) -
We will continue to protect free speech to ensure all voices may be heard and to promote a civil discourse where educational growth is the desired result.
Academic text (2017) -
The community organized a forum to encourage civil discourse about the upcoming election.
Synonyms
A talk between two or more people to share news and ideas
A conversation where people share ideas and opinions to decide or understand
Speech or writing about a topic
Antonyms
How Civil
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'polite and respectful conversation' is directly and compositionally derived from 'civil' (courteous) modifying 'discourse' (formal communication). This adjective+noun pattern is transparent and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Civil discourse may come from the image of citizens talking together in a town meeting: civil meaning people or citizens and discourse meaning formal talk. So it now means 'polite and respectful conversation', especially about difficult or political topics.