disquisition: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Literary
Quick answer
What does “disquisition” mean?
A long, formal, and detailed discourse or treatise on a particular subject.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A long, formal, and detailed discourse or treatise on a particular subject.
A systematic investigation or analysis, often in written or spoken form, that examines a topic with thoroughness and scholarly rigour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage between BrE and AmE.
Connotations
In both, carries connotations of formality and scholarliness; can sometimes imply excessive length or pedantry.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties; slightly more likely to be encountered in academic or literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “disquisition” in a Sentence
disquisition on [topic]disquisition about [topic]disquisition concerning [topic]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “disquisition” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used.
Academic
Used to describe a formal, lengthy piece of scholarly writing or a detailed lecture.
Everyday
Very rare; might be used humorously to describe someone giving a long-winded explanation.
Technical
Rare; occasionally found in the humanities to describe a type of formal essay or lecture.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “disquisition”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “disquisition”
- Misspelling: 'disquisation'.
- Confusing with 'inquisition' (which is an interrogation).
- Using it for a short, casual talk.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word used almost exclusively in formal, academic, or literary contexts.
A discussion involves an exchange of ideas between people. A disquisition is a one-sided, formal and detailed exposition on a subject by a single speaker or writer.
Yes, it can be used to imply that a piece of writing or speech is overly long, pedantic, or tedious (e.g., 'He bored us with a lengthy disquisition on tax law').
It is exclusively a noun. There are no standard verb or adjective forms in modern usage.
A long, formal, and detailed discourse or treatise on a particular subject.
Disquisition is usually formal, academic, literary in register.
Disquisition: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪskwɪˈzɪʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪskwɪˈzɪʃ(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[to] deliver/hold forth a disquisition”
- “[to] launch into a disquisition”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DISQUISITION = a formal DISCUSSION requiring deep INQUISITION (investigation).
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS A STRUCTURE (built through a long, systematic process).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST context for using the word 'disquisition'?