Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Discuss
Dis-cuss′
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Discussed
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Discussing
.] [L.
discussus
, p. p. of discutere
to strike asunder (hence came the sense to separate mentally
, distinguish
); dis-
+ quatere
to shake, strike. See Quash
.] 1.
To break to pieces; to shatter.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
2.
To break up; to disperse; to scatter; to dissipate; to drive away; – said especially of tumors.
[archaic]
This usage is preserved only in the word
discussive
. Many arts were used to
discuss
the beginnings of new affection. Sir H. Wotton.
A pomade . . . of virtue to
discuss
pimples. Rambler.
3.
To shake; to put away; to finish.
[Obs.]
All regard of shame she had
discussed
. Spenser.
4.
To examine in detail or by disputation; to reason upon by presenting favorable and adverse considerations; to debate; to sift; to investigate; to ventilate.
“We sat and . . . discussed the farm . . . and the price of grain.” Tennyson.
“To discuss questions of taste.” Macaulay.
5.
To deal with, in eating or drinking.
[Colloq.]
We sat quietly down and
discussed
a cold fowl that we had brought with us. Sir S. Baker.
Syn. – To
Discuss
, Examine
, Debate
. We speak of examining a subject when we ponder it with care, in order to discover its real state, or the truth respecting it. We speak of discussing a topic when we examine it thoroughly in its distinct parts. The word is very commonly applied to matters of opinion. We may discuss a subject without giving in an adhesion to any conclusion. We speak of debating a point when we examine it in mutual argumentation between opposing parties. In debate we contend for or against some conclusion or view. Webster 1828 Edition
Discuss
DISCUSS
,Verb.
T.
1.
To disperse; to scatter; to dissolve; to repel; as, to discuss a tumor; a medical use of the word.2.
To debate; to agitate by argument; to clear of objections and difficulties, with a view to find or illustrate truth; to sift; to examine by disputation; to ventilate; to reason on, for the purpose of separating truth from falsehood. We discuss a subject, a point, a problem, a question, the propriety, expedience or justice of a measure, &c.3.
To break in pieces. [The primary sense, but not used.]4.
To shake off. [Not in use.]Definition 2024
discuss
discuss
English
Verb
discuss (third-person singular simple present discusses, present participle discussing, simple past and past participle discussed)
- (obsolete, transitive) To drive away, disperse, shake off; said especially of tumors.
- 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, III.i:
- For she was giuen all to fleshly lust, / And poured forth in sensuall delight, / That all regard of shame she had discust, / And meet respect of honour put to flight […]
- The Rambler: A Periodical Paper:
- The softness of my hands was secured by medicated gloves, and my bosom rubbed with a pomade prepared by my mother, of virtue to discuss pimples, and clear discolourations.
- Henry Wotton:
- Many arts were used to discuss the beginnings of new affection.
- 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, III.i:
- (transitive) To converse or debate concerning a particular topic.
- Let's sit down and discuss this rationally.
- I don't wish to discuss this further. Let's talk about something else.
- (transitive, obsolete) To communicate, tell, or disclose (information, a message, etc.).
- c. 1597, William Shakespeare, Merry Wives of Windsor, act 1, scene 3:
- Nym: I will discuss the humour of this love to Page.
- c. 1599, William Shakespeare, Henry V, act 4, scene 1:
- Pistol: Discuss unto me; art thou officer? Or art thou base, common and popular?
- c. 1597, William Shakespeare, Merry Wives of Windsor, act 1, scene 3:
- (obsolete, transitive) To break to pieces; to shatter.
- (obsolete, transitive) To deal with, in eating or drinking.
- Samuel White Baker, The Rifle and the Hound in Ceylon:
- We sat quietly down and discussed a cold fowl that we had brought with us.
- Samuel White Baker, The Rifle and the Hound in Ceylon:
- (transitive, law) To examine or search thoroughly; to exhaust a remedy against, as against a principal debtor before proceeding against the surety.
Synonyms
- (converse about a topic): bespeak, betalk, debate, talk about
Derived terms
Terms derived from discuss
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Translations
to converse or debate concerning a particular topic
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