discourse

Everyday

1. (formal) Serious talk or discussion between people; the way people talk and write about a subject: «public discourse». tree →
2. (formal) A long, serious speech or piece of writing on a subject, such as a sermon. tree →
3. (verb, formal) To talk or write at length about something: «He discoursed on the stars». tree →
4. (language study) Any stretch of language longer than a sentence: conversation or connected text. tree →

In the lessons

A formal exam word met in English, history and church texts. In church: a «discourse» can mean a long sermon or teaching, such as Jesus' discourses in the Gospels. In news: «political discourse». Phrases: «public discourse», «a discourse on», «discourse about».

Examples

• The professor gave a long discourse on volcanoes. tree →
• Polite discourse means listening as well as talking. tree →
• Grandad discoursed on the old days for an hour. tree →
• In the Gospel, Jesus' discourse at the Last Supper is long and tender. tree →
• Bad language has no place in classroom discourse. tree →
• The book is a discourse on kindness. tree →
• "Oh no," replied the counsellor; "I can only discourse on topics which every one should understand." tree →

Note

Formal word. Pronounced DIS-corse (noun), dis-CORSE (verb, sometimes). In speech say «talk», «discussion» or «speech». Do not confuse with «discus» or «course».