What is a discourse? What does it mean?

Discourse is a formal, lengthy discussion of a subject, either written or spoken.

Its another word for a conversation or a discussion, but with slightly different implications

A Discourse is more formal than a conversation in that it is more hiighly structured as might be .a lecture or a presentation, with supported statements and logical evaluations leading to a documentable point. You're more likely to experience a discourse when spoken with confidence, as, for example, a lecture on a subject in class.

Here's Webster's definition somewhat abridged by me which I hope you will now better follow:

DISCOURSE

dis•course: noun \ˈdis-ˌkȯrs, dis-ˈ\

Definition of DISCOURSE

1

archaic: the capacity of orderly thought or procedure : rationality

2

: verbal interchange of ideas; especially: conversation

3

a: formal and orderly and usually extended expression of thought on a subject

b: connected speech or writing

c: a linguistic unit (as a conversation or a story) larger than a sentence

4

obsolete: social familiarity

5

: a mode of organizing knowledge, ideas, or experience that is rooted in language and its concrete contexts (as history or institutions) <critical discourse>

Examples of DISCOURSE

He likes to engage in lively discourse with his visitors.

She delivered an entertaining discourse on the current state of the film industry.

Hans Selye, a Czech physician and biochemist at the University of Montreal, took these ideas further, introducing the term “stress” (borrowed from metallurgy) to describe the way trauma caused overactivity of the adrenal gland, and with it a disruption of bodily equilibrium. In the most extreme case, Selye argued, stress could wear down the body's adaptation mechanisms, resulting in death. His narrative fit well into the cultural discourse of the cold-war era, where, Harrington writes, many saw themselves as “broken by modern life.” —Jerome Groopman, New York Times Book Review, 27 Jan. 2008

Origin of DISCOURSE

Middle English discours, from Medieval Latin & Late Latin discursus; Medieval Latin, argument, from Late Latin, conversation, from Latin, act of running about, from discurrere to run about, from dis- + currere to run — more at car

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DISCOURSE

Synonymschat, colloquy, converse, dialogue (also dialog), conversation, discussion, exchange

Related Wordsbanter, chaff, cross fire, give-and-take, persiflage, raillery, repartee; conference, parley, powwow; babble, chatter, chin-wag [slang], chitchat, confabulation, gabfest, gossip, natter [chiefly British], palaver, prate, prattle, rap, small talk, table talk; round-robin, roundtable, symposium; debate, deliberation

of DISCOURSE

intransitive verb

1: to express oneself especially in oral discourse (see 1discourse)

2: talk, converse

transitive verb

archaic: to give forth : utter

— dis•cours•er: noun

Examples of DISCOURSE

She could discourse for hours on almost any subject.

<the guest lecturer discoursed at some length on the long-term results of the war>

The most energetic ingredients in a Ken Burns documentary are the intervals of commentary, the talking heads of historians, sociologists, and critics coming at us in living color and discoursing volubly. —Richard Alleva, Commonweal, 22 Feb. 2002

Origin of DISCOURSE

First Known Use: 1559

Related to DISCOURSE

Synonyms: declaim, descant, talk, expatiate, harangue, lecture, orate, speak

Related Words: recite, soliloquize; dissert, expound, pontificate, sermonize; mouth, spout; filibuster