1590s, "passing rapidly from one subject to another," from Middle French discursif, from Medieval Latin discursivus, from Latin discursus "a running about," in Late Latin "conversation," in Medieval Latin "reasoning" (see discourse (n.)). As "relating to the understanding" (often opposed to intuitive), from c. 1600. Related: Discursively.
a rambling discursive book
discretionary
discriminate
discriminating
discrimination
discriminatory
discursive
discus
discuss
discussion
disdain
disdainful