conversation

[kon-ver-sey-shuh n]  

• Synonyms
• Examples
• Word Origin

noun

1.

informal interchange of thoughts, information, etc., by spokenwords; oral communication between persons; talk; colloquy.

2.

an instance of this.

3.

association or social intercourse; intimate acquaintance.

4.

criminal conversation.

5.

the ability to talk socially with others:

She writes well but has no conversation.

6.

Obsolete.

1. behavior or manner of living.
2. close familiarity; intimate acquaintance, as from constant use orstudy.

Origin

Middle English

Latin

1300-1350

1300-50; Middle English conversacio (u) n < Latin conversātiōn- (stem ofconversātiō) society, intercourse, equivalent to conversāt (us) pastparticiple of conversārī to associate with (see converse1) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms

preconversation, noun

Synonyms

1. dialogue, chat.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2014.
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Examples from the web for conversation

• Sometimes as two people typed out a conversation, with the slight delay that entailed, dialogue overlapped.
• The casual comfort of the two chairs seems to invite relaxation and intimate conversation.
• Few foliage plants prompt as much conversation as coleus.

British Dictionary definitions for conversation

conversation

/ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃən/

noun

1.

the interchange through speech of information, ideas, etc; spoken communication

2.

make conversation, to talk in an artificial way

related

adjective colloquial

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word Origin and History for conversation

n.

mid-14c., "living together, having dealings with others," also "manner ofconducting oneself in the world;" from Old French conversation, fromLatin conversationem (nominative conversatio) "act of living with," nounof action from past participle stem of conversari "to live with, keepcompany with," literally "turn about with," from Latin com- "with" (seecom- ) + vertare, frequentative of vertere (see versus ). 

Specific sense of "talk" is 1570s. Used as a synonym for "sexualintercourse" from at least 1511, hence criminal conversation, legal termfor adultery from late 18c. Related: Conversationalist ; conversationist.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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conversation in the Bible

generally the goings out and in of social intercourse (Eph. 2:3; 4:22;R.V., "manner of life"); one's deportment or course of life. This word isnever used in Scripture in the sense of verbal communication from one toanother (Ps. 50:23; Heb. 13:5). In Phil. 1:27 and 3:20, a different Greekword is used. It there means one's relations to a community as a citizen,i.e., citizenship.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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Idioms and Phrases with conversation

conversation

In addition to the idiom beginning with conversation also see: make conversation

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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