\Dis*cuss"\, 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.
2. To break up; to disperse; to scatter; to dissipate; to
   drive away; -- said especially of tumors.
         Many arts were used to discuss the beginnings of new
         affection.                            --Sir H.
                                               Wotton.
         A pomade . . . of virtue to discuss pimples.
                                               --Rambler.
3. To shake; to put away; to finish. [Obs.]
         All regard of shame she had discussed. --Spenser.
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.
5. To deal with, in eating or drinking. [Colloq.]
         We sat quietly down and discussed a cold fowl that
         we had brought with us.               --Sir S.
                                               Baker.
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.