Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Discuss

Discuss , transitive verb

[Latin discussus, past participle of discutere to strike asunder (hence came the sense to separate mentally, distinguish); dis- + quatere to shake, strike. See Quash.]

1.
To break to pieces; to shatter. [Obsolete] — Sir T. Browne

This usage is preserved only in the word discussive.

2.
To break up; to disperse; to scatter; to dissipate; to drive away; -- said especially of tumors. [archaic]
Many arts were used to discuss the beginnings of new affection. — Sir H. Wotton
A pomade... of virtue to discuss pimples. — Rambler
3.
To shake; to put away; to finish. [Obsolete]
All regard of shame she had discussed. — Spenser
4.
To examine in detail or by disputation; to reason upon by presenting favorable and adverse considerations; to debate; to sift; to investigate; to ventilate.
We sat and... discussed the farm... and the price of grain. — Tennyson
To discuss questions of taste. — Macaulay
5.
To deal with, in eating or drinking. [Colloquial]
We sat quietly down and discussed a cold fowl that we had brought with us. — Sir S. Baker
6.
(Law) To examine or search thoroughly; to exhaust a remedy against, as against a principal debtor before proceeding against the surety. — Burrill