Discourses
/ˈdɪskɔːrsɪz/
nounverbC1plural (noun), present tense, third person singular (verb)
Definition
"Discourses" as a noun means long and serious conversations or written discussions about specific topics, often in academic or formal settings. As a verb, it means to talk or write about a subject in a detailed and formal way.
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⚡ See It in Action
Noun: Formal spoken or written communication on a subject
- •The professor’s discourses on philosophy were very interesting.
- •The book contains several discourses about social justice.
- •Their discourses helped us understand the complex topic better.
Verb: To speak or write formally and at length
- •She discourses on art history every week in her class.
- •The speaker discoursed about climate change for over an hour.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "discourses" like "talks" or "speeches" (A1 words), but longer, more serious, and often about important ideas or subjects.
- ✓Picture a group of people sitting in a classroom or meeting room, discussing big ideas carefully and respectfully.
- ✓It's the feeling of listening to or reading something that explains or explores a topic deeply, like a teacher explaining a lesson.
- ✓Sounds like "dis-COURSES" → imagine courses (classes) where people learn by talking and discussing ideas.
- ✓Remember formal debates or university lectures where people talk about history, politics, or science in detail.
- ✓NOT like "chat" (short and casual), discourses are long and serious.
- ✓NOT like "argument" (which may be angry), discourses are calm and focused on sharing ideas.
- ✓NOT like "conversation" (which can be informal), discourses are more structured and formal.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Speeches: formal talks given to an audience (Use when emphasizing the act of speaking publicly)
- •Lectures: educational talks, usually in universities (Use when focusing on teaching or explaining)
- •Discussions: conversations where people share ideas (Use when the focus is on exchange between people)
- •Debates: formal arguments with opposing views (Use when there is disagreement or argument)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "dis-" (a prefix often meaning "apart" or "away") + "course" (from Latin "cursus," meaning "running" or "a path") → originally meaning a running or flowing of ideas or speech
- •Etymology: From Latin "discursus," meaning "running about," used to describe a formal speech or written communication
- •Historical development: Used since the 15th century in English for formal talks or written works on serious subjects
- •Modern usage: Common in academic, philosophical, and formal contexts to describe serious communication or study about ideas
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How can discourses help people understand difficult or complex ideas better than short conversations?
•In what situations would you prefer to have a discourse instead of a casual chat?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The professor’s discourses on history always ___ students to think deeply about the past.
2.Unlike casual talks, discourses usually last ___ and cover complex ideas.
3.When someone discourses, they often ___ their ideas clearly and with details.
4.Discourses are different from arguments because they are usually ___ and respectful.
5.In academic settings, discourses often ___ important topics that need careful study.
6.The book contains several discourses ___ the meaning of freedom in society.
7.During the conference, the speaker discoursed ___ the effects of technology on education.