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.
2. To break up; to disperse; to scatter; to dissipate; to drive away; -- said especially of
tumors.
Many arts were used to discuss the beginnings of new affection.
Sir
H. Wotton. A
pomade . . . of virtue to discuss pimples.
Rambler. 3. To shake; to put away; to finish. [Obs.]
All regard of
shame she had discussed.
Spenser.
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.
5. To deal with, in
eating or drinking. [Colloq.]
We sat quietly down and discussed a cold fowl that we had
brought with us.
Sir S. Baker. 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.
Hear it pronounced