The Latin verb discurrere meant "to run about", and from this word we get our word discursive, which often means rambling about over a wide range of topics. A discursive writing style generally isn't encouraged by writing teachers.
There are five meanings listed in OED's entry for the word discursive, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
Discursive refers to a form of writing, conversation, or thought process that is expansive, detailed, and covers a wide range of topics or ideas, often moving from one subject to another in a logical and coherent manner.
The adjective discursive is often used to describe speech or writing that tends to stray from the main point, but the word can also have almost the opposite meaning.
DISCURSIVE meaning: 1. involving discussion: 2. talking about or dealing with subjects that are only slightly…. Learn more.
Definition of discursive adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
If a style of writing is discursive, it includes a lot of facts or opinions that are not necessarily relevant.
discursive, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English ...
Define discursive. discursive synonyms, discursive pronunciation, discursive translation, English dictionary definition of discursive. adj. 1. Covering a wide field of subjects; rambling.
The instructor gave a discursive [= rambling] lecture that wandered from one topic to another. He writes discursively.