WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Dis*cuss"
Part of Speech : v.
Etymology : [L. discussus, p. p. of discutere to strike asunder (hence came the sense to separate mentally, distinguish); dis- + quatere to shake, strike. See Quash.]
Definition : 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)

Defn: 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.

t. [imp. & p. p. Discussed; p. pr. & vb. n. Discussing.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913