Where does “discourse” come from?
Discourse comes from Middle English discours, from Middle French discours, from Latin discursus, the past participle of discurro, meaning to run about or traverse, from dis- and a root meaning to run.
discourse (English): Verbal exchange, conversation; Expression in...
Definitions
- Verbal exchange, conversation; Expression in...
Ancestry of “discourse”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | discours | — |
| 2 | Middle French | discours | speech; discourse |
| 3 | Latin | discursus | running about |
| 4 | Latin | discurrō | to run about, in different directions, or to and fro; to roam, wander |
| 5 | Latin | dis- | asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;... |
| 6 | Latin | calceus | shoe |
| 7 | Latin | calx | limestone; chalk; the finish line |
| 8 | Ancient Greek | χάλιξ | small stone, pebble; gravel, rubble |