Part 348

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.

Dis*cuss"er (?), n. One who discusses; one who sifts or examines. Wood.

Dis*cus"sion (?), 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.

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

The liberty of discussion is the great safeguard of all other liberties.

Macaulay.

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

Dis*cus"sion*al (?), a. Pertaining to discussion.

Dis*cuss"ive (?), a. [Cf. F. discussif.] 1. (Med.) Able or tending to discuss or disperse tumors or coagulated matter.

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

A kind of peremptory and discussive voice.

Hopkins.

Dis*cuss"ive, n. (Med.) A medicine that discusses or disperses morbid humors; a discutient.

Dis*cu"tient (?), a. [L. discutiens, p. pr. of discutere. See Discuss.] (Med.) Serving to disperse morbid matter; discussive; as, a discutient application. -- n. An agent (as a medicinal application) which serves to disperse morbid matter. "Foment with discutiens." Wiseman.

Dis*dain" (?; 277), n. [OE. desdain, disdein, OF. desdein, desdaing, F. dédain, fr. the verb. See Disdain, v. t.] 1. A feeling of contempt and aversion; the regarding anything as unworthy of or beneath one; scorn.

How my soul is moved with just disdain!

Pope.

Often implying an idea of haughtiness.

Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes.

Shak.

2. That which is worthy to be disdained or regarded with contempt and aversion. [Obs.]

Most loathsome, filthy, foul, and full of vile disdain.

Spenser.

3. The state of being despised; shame. [Obs.] Shak.

Syn. -- Haughtiness; scorn; contempt; arrogance; pride. See Haughtiness.

Dis*dain" (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Disdained (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Disdaining.] [OE. disdainen, desdainen, OF. desdeigner, desdaigner, F. dédaigner; des- (L. dis-) + daigner to deign, fr. L. dignari to deem worthy. See Deign.] 1. To think unworthy; to deem unsuitable or unbecoming; as, to disdain to do a mean act.

Disdaining . . . that any should bear the armor of the best knight living.