I. də̇ˈskəs verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English discussen, from Late Latin & Latin discussus; Late Latin, past participle of discutere to examine, investigate, from Latin, to dash to pieces, scatter, from dis- apart + -cutere (from quatere to shake, strike) — more at dis- , quash (crush)
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to clear away by breaking up or scattering : dispel , dissipate
2.
a. obsolete : to examine and pass upon judicially : try
b.
(1) : to investigate (as a question) by reasoning or argument : argue by presenting the various sides of : debate
a committee of pilots and geographers discussed the project but reached no conclusion
the cabinet met in emergency session to discuss the draft law
(2) : to discourse about : present in detail : expound
a book that discusses the transmission of acquired characteristics
in his afterword, Eban discussed his views on Zionism and on the cures for anti-Semitism — Current Biography
(3) : to converse or talk about : exchange views or information about
discussing what we'd do after graduation
3. obsolete : to make clear or open : explain : disclose in speech : declare
discuss the same in French unto him — Shakespeare
4. : to consume (food or drink) with zest
we settled down to discuss a plentiful supper of roast and boiled beef and mutton — W.H.Hudson
5. : excuss 3
intransitive verb
: to hold discussion : argue , converse
he would be squatting in the grass discussing with someone — Helen Rich
Synonyms:
argue , debate , dispute , agitate : these verbs all mean to discourse about something in order to arrive at the truth or to convince others. discuss implies a reasoned conversational examining, especially by considering pros and cons, in an attempt to clarify or settle
discuss plans for a party
discuss terms of a peace treaty
they discussed the best way of raising money
argue usually implies conviction and the often heated adducing of evidence or reasons in support of one's cause or opinion
pros and cons of “mercy killing” are no longer very seriously argued in medical circles — W.T.Fitts & Barbara Fitts
deep-seated preferences cannot be argued about — you cannot argue a man into liking a glass of beer — O.W.Holmes †1935
debate stresses formal or, often, public argument between opposing parties, although it can apply to a deliberation in one's own mind
the … question was hotly debated in the spring parliamentary election campaign — Collier's Year Bk
the 82d Congress took many actions affecting social welfare and hotly debated a number of further measures — Americana Annual
I held her hand for a moment, debating a reply — L.C.Douglas
dispute (in its older use signifying to debate) is to argue or to argue about, usually contentiously
the students disputed forensically this day a twofold question — Noah Webster
Scotchmen and Irishmen anxious for distinction, who in previous centuries would probably have disputed about the classics or theology — E.L.Anderson
agitate stresses vigorous argument toward a practical objective, an active propaganda in the interests of a change of some kind
what Doc was agitating for … was recognition of battle exhaustion as an illness — Fred Majdalany
the nine million refugees and expellees … are discontented with their economic plight and agitate for the recovery of their old homes — S.B.Fay
the Senate was agitating an investigation of the department — E.M.Coulter
II. noun
( -es )
obsolete : discussion , debate