from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Discuss \Dis*cuss"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Discussed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Discussing}.] [L. discussus, p. p. of discutere to
strike asunder (hence came the sense to separate mentally,
distinguish); dis- + quatere to shake, strike. See {Quash}.]
1. To break to pieces; to shatter. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
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2. To break up; to disperse; to scatter; to dissipate; to
drive away; -- said especially of tumors. [archaic]
Note: This usage is preserved only in the word {discussive}.
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Many arts were used to discuss the beginnings of
new affection. --Sir H.
Wotton.
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A pomade . . . of virtue to discuss pimples.
--Rambler.
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3. To shake; to put away; to finish. [Obs.]
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All regard of shame she had discussed. --Spenser.
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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.
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5. To deal with, in eating or drinking. [Colloq.]
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We sat quietly down and discussed a cold fowl that
we had brought with us. --Sir S.
Baker.
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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.
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