definition vs discourse

definition

noun
  • The action or power of describing, explaining, or making definite and clear. 

  • The action or process of defining. 

  • The act of defining; determination of the limits. 

  • A statement expressing the essential nature of something; formulation 

  • A clear instance conforming to the dictionary or textbook definition. 

  • A statement which provides a previous declaration with a value or body of a subroutine (in the case of function). 

  • A statement that establishes the referent of a term or notation. 

  • Sharp demarcation of outlines or limits. 

  • A statement of the meaning of a word or word group or a sign or symbol (dictionary definitions). 

  • Clarity of visual presentation, distinctness of outline or detail. 

  • A product of defining. 

  • Clarity, especially of musical sound in reproduction. 

  • The degree to which individual muscles are distinct on the body. 

discourse

noun
  • Expression in words, either speech or writing. 

  • A formal lengthy exposition of some subject, either spoken or written. 

  • An institutionalized way of thinking, a social boundary defining what can be said about a specific topic (after Michel Foucault). 

  • Any rational expression, reason. 

verb
  • To exercise reason; to employ the mind in judging and inferring; to reason. 

  • To engage in discussion or conversation; to converse. 

  • To write or speak formally and at length. 

How often have the words definition and discourse occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )