DISCURSIVE


Meaning of DISCURSIVE in English

də̇ˈskər]s]iv, -kə̄], -kəi], ]ēv also ]z] or ]əv adjective

Etymology: Medieval Latin discursivus, from Latin discursus + -ivus -ive

1.

a. : passing from one topic to another : ranging over a wide field : rambling , digressive , desultory , chatty

a sprawling book, discursive and prolix — Brendan Gill

b. : proceeding logically or coherently from topic to topic

no flaming into meaning but a steady discursive commentary in the course of which the meaning is eloquently conveyed — David Daiches

2. : reasoning from premises to conclusions or proceeding from particulars to generalizations : utilizing or based upon analytical reasoning — contrasted with intuitive

3. : passing from one place to another : roaming , roving

entered into a life eternally discursive in search of superior grazing lands — J.B.Cabell & A.J.Hanna

• dis·cur·sive·ly ]ə̇vlē, -li adverb

• dis·cur·sive·ness ]ivnə̇s, ]ēv- also ]əv- noun -es

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.