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discuss

v.
US //dɪˈskəs// UK //dɪskˈʌs// dis·cuss
  1. 1 to talk about a topic (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to talk about something with other people to exchange ideas or reach a decision.

    to converse or debate concerning a particular topic. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the subject of conversation.

    Example

    The manager wants to discuss the new schedule with the team tomorrow.

    Example

    The board members met for several hours to discuss the potential implications of the merger on the company's long-term stability.

    Usage

    The verb is transitive and does not take the preposition 'about'.

    Pitfall
    We need to discuss about the new project.
    We need to discuss the new project.

    Do not use 'about' after discuss. The verb takes the object directly.

  2. 2 to exhaust legal remedies (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Formal Law

    to check all the ways to get money from a person who owes it before asking someone else to pay.

    to examine or search thoroughly; specifically, to exhaust a remedy against a principal debtor before proceeding against a surety.

    Example

    The bank must discuss the debtor's own property before they can take money from the person who signed for the loan.

    Example

    Under the terms of the guarantee, the creditor is obliged to discuss the assets of the principal debtor before seeking satisfaction from the guarantor.

    Usage

    Used primarily in civil law jurisdictions regarding the 'benefit of discussion'.

Origin

From Middle English discussen, from Middle French and Anglo-Norman discusser (French discuter), from Latin discussus, past participle of discutiō (“to strike or shake apart, break up, scatter; examine, discuss”), from dis- (“apart”) + quatiō (“to shake”).

Word family

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