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to discourse

to discourse

1 7.8
To speak or write for a long time about a topic
  • verb
  • /dɪsˈkɔrs/
  • Formal
translation icon : disertar
  • It's a shame you can't discourse like a rational person.

Examples

  • And yet he's able to discourse like Socrates or Diogenes or whoever.

  • Indeed, the ways in which they are actively reinventing journalism even as we discourse about it.

    Blog text (21)
  • It is no time to discourse, so Christ save me.

  • You can "discourse" your head off and it won't change reality.

    Academic text (1997)
  • An essayist, it has been said, is that lucky person who has found a way to discourse without being interrupted.

    Academic text (2009)
  • Yet the next minute, he began to discourse about the Third Reich and about psychics.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • How can we discourse without unconsciously continuing a dissociative epistemology?

    Academic text (1992)
  • The son-in-law, eager to discourse, said Freud called Schopenhauer one of the six greatest men who ever lived.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Furthermore, his reclining posture can be seen as a reminder that Socrates continued to write and discourse with his followers even though he was confined to his prison bed.

    Academic text (1995)
  • The professor will discourse extensively on the implications of climate change during his lecture.

Synonyms

to talk about
vsto discourse
1.3

Speak with someone about a subject

is more formal and extended than casual mention or conversation
to discuss
vsto discourse
1.6

To talk with other people about something, often in detail

is formal one way speaking or writing rather than interactive talk
to talk
vsto discourse
3.4

Give a speech to an audience about a subject

is formal and long but also includes written accounts not only lectures
to address
vsto discourse
3.6

To deal with a subject in speech or writing

is a longer formal treatment rather than a brief handling
to write about
vsto discourse
620 2.1

Give details in words about a topic, for example in a book or article

is about speaking or writing at length rather than only composing text
to make a speech
vsto discourse
  • Formal
35 2.8

Give a formal talk to people at a public or special event

is formal and lengthy but applies beyond single public events
to set forth
vsto discourse
  • Formal
29 4.2

To state something clearly in writing or speech

is longer and more detailed rather than brief formal statements
to expound
vsto discourse
  • Formal
20 7.3

Explain something in detail so people understand it

is formal and long but can be broader than focused explanation
to hold forth
vsto discourse
5 7.4

Talk for a long time about a subject, like giving a lecture

is formal and long but may lack the strong authoritative voice
to dilate
vsto discourse
  • Formal
2 7.5

To talk or write for a long time about a subject

is formal and long but not always focused on expansion
to expatiate
vsto discourse
  • Formal
1 9.9

To talk or write for a long time about a subject

is formal and long but not only about continuous expansion
to verbalize
vsto discourse
  • US
1 6.1

To talk or write for a long time using many words when it is not needed

is formal and long but not necessarily needlessly wordy
to dissertate
vsto discourse
  • Formal
9.9

To speak or write at length about a subject in a formal way

is formal and lengthy but not limited to academic settings
to descant
vsto discourse
  • Formal
9.4

To talk for a long time about a subject in detail

is formal and lengthy but not chiefly ornate in style
to exposit
vsto discourse
  • Formal
8.6

To explain an idea or meaning in detail

is formal and lengthy but not limited to scholarly exposition
to perorate
vsto discourse
  • Formal
9.9

To end a formal speech with a long, strong summary

is broader formal speaking or writing not limited to final speeches

Compounds

Polite, respectful discussion about political or controversial topics

direct discourse
  • Specialized
6.3

Repeating the exact words someone said or thought, usually in quote marks

A way of reporting what someone said without using their exact words, often changing pronouns and verb tenses

universe of discourse
  • Specialized
9.9

All the things considered in a discussion or theory

How Detailed

to expound
  • Formal
20 7.3
to discourse
  • Formal
1 7.8
to discuss
1.6
to describe
1.0
to explain
1.0
to state
1.6
to mention
1.0

Surface Forms

discourse infinitive
discoursed past
discoursed past participle
discourseing present participle
discourses third person singular

Etymology

The verb discourse comes from dis- 'apart' and course 'run' or 'path', so it originally meant to 'run through' ideas. That's why to discourse is to speak or write at length about a topic, often in a formal way.