n.; pl. E. Discuses L. Disci [ L. See Disk. ] 1. (a) A quoit; a circular plate of some heavy material intended to be pitched or hurled as a trial of strength and skill. (b) The exercise with the discus. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This among the Greeks was one of the chief gymnastic exercises and was included in the Pentathlon (the contest of the five exercises). The chief contest was that of throwing the discus to the greatest possible distance. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A disk. See Disk. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To break up; to disperse; to scatter; to dissipate; to drive away; -- said especially of tumors. [ archaic ] This usage is preserved only in the word discussive. [ 1913 Webster ]

Many arts were used to discuss the beginnings of new affection. Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]

A pomade . . . of virtue to discuss pimples. Rambler. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To shake; to put away; to finish. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

All regard of shame she had discussed. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To deal with, in eating or drinking. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

We sat quietly down and discussed a cold fowl that we had brought with us. Sir S. Baker. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a participant in a discussion, especially a member of a panel.
Syn. -- panelist. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. One who discusses; one who sifts or examines. Wood. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. discussio a shaking, examination, discussion: cf. F. discussion. ] 1. The act or process of discussing by breaking up, or dispersing, as a tumor, or the like. [ archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The act of discussing or exchanging reasons; examination by argument; debate; disputation; agitation. [ 1913 Webster ]

The liberty of discussion is the great safeguard of all other liberties. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Discussion of a problem or
Discussion of an equation (Math.), the operation of assigning different reasonable values to the arbitrary quantities and interpreting the result. Math. Dict. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to discussion. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Med.) A medicine that discusses or disperses morbid humors; a discutient. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. discussif. ] 1. (Med.) Able or tending to discuss or disperse tumors or coagulated matter; discutient. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Doubt-dispelling; decisive. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A kind of peremptory and discussive voice. Hopkins. [ 1913 Webster ]