discourse in WordNet English dictionary

1. carry on a conversation
   converse  discourse 
   
2. talk at length and formally about a topic
   "The speaker dissertated about the social politics in 18th century England"
   hold forth  discourse  dissertate 
   
3. to consider or examine in speech or writing
   "The author talks about the different aspects of this question"; "The class discussed Dante's `Inferno'"
   discourse  talk about  discuss 
   

1. an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
   "the book contains an excellent discussion of modal logic"; "his treatment of the race question is badly biased"
   discussion  treatment  discourse 
   
2. extended verbal expression in speech or writing
   discourse 
   
3. an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)
   sermon  discourse  preaching