WordWeb Online

1. Extended verbal expression in speech or writing
    
2. (church service) an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)
   - sermon, preaching
    
3. An extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
   "the book contains an excellent discourse of modal logic";
   - discussion, treatment

1. To consider or examine in speech or writing
   "The author discourses the different aspects of this question";
   - talk about, discuss
    
2. Carry on a conversation
   - converse
    
3. Talk at length and formally about a topic
   - hold forth, dissertate

Derived forms: discoursed, discourses, discoursing

Type of: address, communicating, communication, cover, deal, handle, language unit, linguistic unit, plough [Brit, Cdn], plow [N. Amer], speak, speech, talk, treat

Encyclopedia: Discourse, Figure