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A preliminary remark or observation; an introductory discourse prefixed to a book or treatise. D. Stokes (1659). Sir W. Scott.

or argument; excessively particular in detail; -- rarely used except with reference to discourse written or spoken; as, a prolix oration; a prolix poem; a prolix sermon. With wig prolix, down flowing to his waist. Cowper.

The quality or state of being prolix; great length; minute detail; as, prolixity in discourses and writings. "For fulsomeness of his prolixitee." Chaucer. Idly running on with vain prolixity. Drayton.

The preface or introduction to a discourse, poem, or performance; as, the prologue of Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales;" esp., a discourse or poem spoken before a dramatic performance

The art of manner of uttering a discourse publicly with propriety and gracefulness; -- now called delivery. J. Q. Adams.

Talk; discourse. [Obs.] Shak.

That which is offered or affirmed as the subject of the discourse; anything stated or affirmed for discussion or illustration.

Hence, language which evinces little imagination or animation; dull and commonplace discourse.

Dull and tedious in discourse or writing; prosaic.

The act or art of punctuating or pointing a writing or discourse; the art or mode of dividing literary composition into sentences, and members of a sentence, by means of points, so as to elucidate the author's meaning.

Proposal to another; discourse. [Obs.] Spenser.

purpose or design; intentionally; with predetermination; designedly. In composing this discourse, I purposely declined all offensive and displeasing truths. Atterbury. So much they scorn the crowd, that if the throng By chance go right, they purposely go wrong. Pope.

To go on; to proceed, especially in argument or discourse; to continue.

insert; sometimes, to introduce with difficulty; as, to put in a word while others are discoursing. (b) (Naut.) To conduct into a harbor, as a ship. (c) (Law) To place in due form before a court; to place among the records of a court. Burrill. (d) (Med.) To restore, as a dislocated part, to its place. -- To put off.…

A discourse or treatise on fevers; the doctrine of fevers. Hooper.

by raising any insignificant or impertinent question or point; to trifle in argument or discourse; to equivocate.

To puzzle; to banter; to chaff or mock with pretended seriousness of discourse; to make sport of, as by obscure questions. He quizzed unmercifully all the men in the room. Thackeray.

A confused, incoherent discourse; a medley of voices; a chatter.

To search through; to scour; to ransack. The statesman rakes the town to find a plot. Swift.

ak and indifferent, is so often untwisted by violence, or raveled and entangled in weak discourses! Jer. Taylor.