Dis-cūss', v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. DISCUSSED (-kŭst'); p. pr. & vb. n. DISCUSSING.] [Lat. discutere, discussum, from prefix dis and quatere, to shake, strike, drive; It. discutere, Sp. discutir, Fr. discuter.]
Sense 1. To break up; to disperse; to dissolve and remove; — said especially of tumors. “A pomade . . . of virtue to discuss pimples.” Rambler.
Sense 2. To shake off; to put away. [Obs.] “All regard of shame she had discussed.” Spenser.
Sense 3. To examine or consider by disputation; to reason upon by presenting favorable and adverse considerations; to debate; to ventilate; to sift. “To discuss questions of taste, of learning, of casuistry.” Macaulay.
Sense 4. (Law.) To examine or search thoroughly, as by shaking apart; to exhaust a remedy against, as against a principal debtor before proceeding against the surety. Burrill.
Synonyms—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. We speak of debating a point when we discuss it in mutual argumentation between opposing parties. Discussion often serves more for amusement than for any solid purpose; examination is of great practical utility in the direction of our conduct; debate often elicits important truths from the conflict of mind, which might otherwise have been overlooked.