1. (

• discourse ,

) extended verbal expression in speech or writing ;

2. (

• sermon ,
• discourse ,
• preaching

) an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service) ;

3. (

• discussion ,
• treatment ,
• discourse

) an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic; "the book contains an excellent discussion of modal logic"; "his treatment of the race question is badly biased" ;

1. (

• discourse ,
• talk_about ,
• discuss ,

) to consider or examine in speech or writing; "The author talks about the different aspects of this question"; "The class discussed Dante's `Inferno'" ;

2. (

• converse ,
• discourse ,

) carry on a conversation ;

3. (

• hold_forth ,
• discourse ,
• dissertate

) talk at length and formally about a topic; "The speaker dissertated about the social politics in 18th century England" ;