discourse
n. C / Un. serious conversation or writing about a specific topic. On the internet, you might hear people complain about 'the discourse' when an online debate becomes exhausting or repetitive.
n. written or spoken communication or debate, particularly of a formal or academic nature. In contemporary digital contexts, it frequently refers to the prevailing, often contentious, public conversation surrounding a specific cultural topic.
The professor expects a high level of discourse in her classroom.
After the controversial movie premiered, the online discourse quickly turned toxic as fans and critics argued endlessly.
The author argues that healthy political discourse requires participants to engage with opposing viewpoints in good faith, rather than simply dismissing them as morally flawed.
From Middle English discours, borrowed from Middle French discours (“conversation, speech”), from Latin discursus (“the act of running about”), from Latin discurrō (“run about”), from dis- (“apart”) + currō (“run”). Spelling modified by influence of Middle French cours (“course”). Doublet of discursus.
Uncountable when referring to communication in general; countable when referring to a formal treatment of a subject. Often preceded by the definite article in internet slang.