Conversation

Conversation
Conversation Con`ver*sa"tion, n. [OE. conversacio (in senses 1 & 2), OF. conversacion, F. conversation, fr. L. conversatio frequent abode in a place, intercourse, LL. also, manner of life.] 1. General course of conduct; behavior. [Archaic] [1913 Webster]

Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel. --Philip. i. 27. [1913 Webster]

2. Familiar intercourse; intimate fellowship or association; close acquaintance. ``Conversation with the best company.'' --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

I set down, out of long experience in business and much conversation in books, what I thought pertinent to this business. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

3. Commerce; intercourse; traffic. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

All traffic and mutual conversation. --Hakluyt. [1913 Webster]

4. Colloquial discourse; oral interchange of sentiments and observations; informal dialogue. [1913 Webster]

The influence exercised by his [Johnson's] conversation was altogether without a parallel. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

5. Sexual intercourse; as, criminal conversation.

Syn: Intercourse; communion; commerce; familiarity; discourse; dialogue; colloquy; talk; chat.

Usage: {Conversation}, {Talk}. There is a looser sense of these words, in which they are synonymous; there is a stricter sense, in which they differ. Talk is usually broken, familiar, and versatile. Conversation is more continuous and sustained, and turns ordinarily upon topics or higher interest. Children talk to their parents or to their companions; men converse together in mixed assemblies. Dr. Johnson once remarked, of an evening spent in society, that there had been a great deal of talk, but no conversation. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • conversation — [ kɔ̃vɛrsasjɔ̃ ] n. f. • 1537; « relation, rapports, genre de vie » 1160; lat. conversatio « fréquentation » 1 ♦ Échange de propos (naturel, spontané); ce qui se dit dans un tel échange. ⇒ discussion, entretien, région. palabre. Conversation… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • conversation — CONVERSATION. s. f. Entretien familier. Conversation agréable, douce, aisée, enjouée, badine, sérieuse, galance, intéressante. Conversation ennuyeuse, longue, sèche, aride. Entrer en conversation. Être en conversation. Lier conversation. Renouer… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • conversation — Conversation. subst. f. v. Entretien familier. Agreable, douce, aisée, enjoüée conversation. conversation ennuyeuse. longue conversation. seche, aride, guindée. entrer en conversation. estre en conversation lier, noüer conversation. se plaire à… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Conversation — Conversation. In der seinen und gebildeten Gesellschaft ist die Conversation der Hauptreiz der Unterhaltung, das belebende Element derselben. In ihr findet der Austausch der Ideen Statt. sie ist der Kampfplatz, wo Meinungen, Ansichten, Maximen… …   Damen Conversations Lexikon

  • conversation — UK US /ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃən/ noun [C] ► a discussion with someone about a particular subject: have a conversation »We believe the company has the resources it needs, but if more is needed, we ll have that conversation …   Financial and business terms

  • conversation — (n.) mid 14c., living together, having dealings with others, also manner of conducting oneself in the world; from O.Fr. conversation, from L. conversationem (nom. conversatio) act of living with, from conversat , pp. stem of conversari to live… …   Etymology dictionary

  • conversation — [kän΄vər sā′shən] n. [ME conversacioun < OFr conversation < L conversatio < pp. of conversari: see CONVERSE1] 1. the act or an instance of talking together; specif., a) familiar talk; verbal exchange of ideas, opinions, etc. b) an… …   English World dictionary

  • conversation — I noun articulation, causerie, chat, collocution, colloquial discourse, colloquy, communication, confabulation, conloquium, consultation, conversing, deliberation, dialogue, discourse, discussion, dissertation, exchange, exchange of views,… …   Law dictionary

  • conversation — conversation, converse communion, communication, *intercourse, commerce, traffic, dealings, correspondence Analogous words: conversing, talking or talk, speaking or speech (see corresponding verbs at SPEAK) converse vb talk, *speak Analogous… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • conversation — et familiarité, Consuetudo, Conuersatio, Vsus. Conversation ordinaire, Vsus quotidianus …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

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