discursive

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   moving from subject to subject rather than following a concise, orderly line

   The lecturer's discursive style carried the audience from history to politics and back.

2. 2
   adj

   reaching conclusions through reasoned argument rather than intuition

   The philosopher contrasted discursive reasoning with immediate insight.

3. 3
   adj

   relating to discourse or the use of language in communication

   The study examines the discursive practices of scientific communities.

Simplified etymology

Discursive entered English in the late 16th century and ultimately derives from Latin currere, “to run.” Its sense reflects the idea of running away from the main point.

Via Middle French discursif and Medieval Latin discursivus from Latin discursus ("a running about; discourse"). The sense "rambling" preserves the image of running from point to point, while the philosophical sense concerns reasoning step by step.

Topics

External links

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