discuss
UK[dɪˈskʌs]US[dɪˈskʌs]
v
to talk about something with someone, or to write or speak about a subject in detail
v
to consider something carefully by talking or writing about it
Morpheme Breakdown
dis
cuss
dis
apart
cuss
strike, shake
Etymology
the word 'discuss' originates from the latin verb 'discutere', meaning 'to dash to pieces, shake apart, or scatter'. this literal sense of breaking something apart through forceful action evolved metaphorically in late latin and medieval latin to mean 'examine' or 'investigate'. by the mid-16th century, the english meaning softened further, shifting from the idea of breaking apart a problem through argument to the more general modern sense of talking about a subject in detail. thus, the journey is from a physical act of violent separation to a figurative process of analytical conversation.
Analysis
Structure: dis (apart) + cuss (strike, shake)
'dis-' is a Latin prefix meaning 'apart' or 'in different directions'. '-cuss' derives from the Latin root 'quatere' (to shake, strike), which appears in English as '-cuss' through its frequentative form 'cussare'.
Examples
we need to discuss the details of the contract before signing.
the panel will discuss the implications of the new research.
they sat down to discuss their plans for the upcoming holiday.