discuss Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an athletic competition in which a disk-shaped object is thrown as far as possible
    discus.
  2. noun a disk used in throwing competitions
    discus; saucer.
  3. verb to consider or examine in speech or writing
    discourse; talk about.
    • The author talks about the different aspects of this question
    • The class discussed Dante's `Inferno'
  4. verb speak with others about (something); talk (something) over in detail; have a discussion
    talk over; hash out.
    • We discussed our household budget

WordNet

Dis*cuss" transitive verb
Etymology
L. discussus, p. p. of discutere to strike asunder (hence came the sense to separate mentally, distinguish); dis- + quatere to shake, strike. See Quash.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Discussed ; present participle & verbal noun Discussing
Definitions
  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.
    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.
  6. (Law) To examine or search thoroughly; to exhaust a remedy against, as against a principal debtor before proceeding against the surety. Burrill. 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 1913