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Discuss vs Confer - What's the difference?

discuss | confer |

In obsolete transitive terms the difference between discuss and confer

is that discuss is to drive away, disperse, shake off; said especially of tumors while confer is to bring together; to collect, gather.

In transitive terms the difference between discuss and confer

is that discuss is to converse or debate concerning a particular topic while confer is to grant as a possession; to bestow.

discuss

Verb

  • (obsolete) To drive away, disperse, shake off; said especially of tumors.
  • * 1590 , Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene , III.i:
  • For she was giuen all to fleshly lust, / And poured forth in sensuall delight, / That all regard of shame she had discust , / And meet respect of honour put to flight
  • * Rambler
  • a pomade of virtue to discuss pimples
  • * Sir H. Wotton
  • Many arts were used to discuss the beginnings of new affection.
  • To converse or debate concerning a particular topic.
  • Let's sit down and discuss this rationally.
    I don't wish to discuss this further. Let's talk about something else.
  • (obsolete) To communicate, tell, or disclose (information, a message, etc.).
  • * , Merry Wives of Windsor , act 1, sc. 3:
  • Nym : I will discuss the humour of this love to Page.
  • * , Henry V , act 4, sc. 1:
  • Pistol : Discuss unto me; art thou officer? Or art thou base, common and popular?
  • To break to pieces; to shatter.
  • To deal with, in eating or drinking.
  • * Sir S. Baker
  • We sat quietly down and discussed a cold fowl that we had brought with us.
  • To examine or search thoroughly; to exhaust a remedy against, as against a principal debtor before proceeding against the surety.
  • Synonyms

    * (converse about a topic) betalk, debate, talk about

    Derived terms

    * discussant * discusser * discussion * discuss to death * discuss Uganda

    See also

    * argue

    confer

    English

    Verb

    (conferr)
  • (obsolete) To compare.
  • * 1557 (book title):
  • The Newe Testament ... Conferred diligently with the Greke, and best approued translations.
  • *, II.3.1.i:
  • Confer thine estate with others […]. Be content and rest satisfied, for thou art well in respect to others […].
  • * Boyle
  • If we confer these observations with others of the like nature, we may find cause to rectify the general opinion.
  • To talk together, to consult, discuss; to deliberate.
  • * 1974 , "A Traveler's Perils", Time , 25 Mar 1974:
  • Local buttons popped when Henry Kissinger visited Little Rock last month to confer with Fulbright on the Middle East oil talks.
  • (obsolete) To bring together; to collect, gather.
  • To grant as a possession; to bestow.
  • * Milton
  • the public marks of honour and reward conferred upon me
  • * 2010 , Andrew Rawnsley, The Observer , 7 Feb 2010:
  • The special immunities that are conferred on MPs were framed with the essential purpose of allowing them to speak freely in parliament.
  • (obsolete) To contribute; to conduce.
  • * Glanvill
  • The closeness and compactness of the parts resting together doth much confer to the strength of the union.

    See also

    * cf ----