discourse

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Serious discussion or the exchange of ideas about a subject, in speech or writing.

   The book aims to raise the level of public discourse on climate change.

2. 2
   noun

   A long, formal talk or piece of writing on a particular subject.

   The professor delivered a discourse on the causes of the war.

From Middle English discours, borrowed from Middle French discours (“conversation, speech”), from Latin discursus (“the act of running about”), from Latin discurrō (“run about”), from dis- (“apart”) + currō (“run”). Spelling modified by influence of Middle French cours (“course”). Doublet of discursus.

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