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.
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.
To reduce or diminish in amount, quantity, or extent; to lessen.
To take in the slack of (a rope).
To reduce (sail) by taking it in.
To become shorter.
To make shorter; to abbreviate.
To make short or friable, as pastry, with butter, lard, etc.
To make deficient (as to); to deprive (of).