discursive

dis·cur·sive

adj \dis-ˈkər-siv\

Definition of DISCURSIVE

1

a : moving from topic to topic without order : rambling b : proceeding coherently from topic to topic

2

: marked by analytical reasoning

3

: of or relating to discourse <discursive practices>

— dis·cur·sive·ly adverb

— dis·cur·sive·ness noun

Examples of DISCURSIVE

1. <the speaker's discursive style made it difficult to understand his point>

Origin of DISCURSIVE

Medieval Latin discursivus, from Latin discursus, past participle of discurrere to run about — more at discourse

First Known Use: 1598

Related to DISCURSIVE

Synonyms: desultory, digressional, digressionary, digressive, excursive, leaping, maundering, meandering, rambling, wandering

Related Words: circuitous, deviating, devious, indirect, roundabout

Near Antonyms: coherent, consistent, logical; direct, focused (also focussed), straightforward, undeviating

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Rhymes with DISCURSIVE

aversive, coercive, detersive, dispersive, excursive, inversive, perversive, recursive, subversive