discourse vs phrase

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. 

phrase

noun
  • A short written or spoken expression. 

  • A word or, more commonly, a group of words that functions as a single unit in the syntax of a sentence, usually consisting of a head, or central word, and elaborating words. 

  • A small section of music in a larger piece. 

  • A short individual motion forming part of a choreographed dance. 

verb
  • To perform a passage with the correct phrasing. 

  • To express (an action, thought or idea) by means of particular words. 

  • To divide into melodic phrases. 

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