di´a|logu´er

di|a|logue «DY uh lg, -log», noun, verb, -logued, -logu|ing.

–n.

1. a conversation: »

Two actors had a dialogue in the middle of the stage.

2. conversation in a play, story, novel, or other literary or dramatic work; conversation written out: »

That book has a good plot and much clever dialogue. What is remarkable about the play is that the dialogue flows smoothly and momentously…but never once ceases to pique our eager curiosity (London Times).

3. a literary work in the form of a conversation.

4. an airing of views; discussion: »

The debate in the [Senate] chamber itself has been what it should be, a probing public dialogue (Wall Street Journal).

5. Music. a composition for two instruments or voices, or two groups of instruments or voices, each responding to the other or joining the other in a duet: »

... four separate “dialogues,” in each of which the quartet and orchestra treat a set of melodic and harmonic ideas (Time).

–v.t.

to put into the form of a dialogue; furnish with dialogue.

–v.i.

to hold a dialogue or conversation: »

Dost dialogue with thy shadow? (Shakespeare).

Also, dialog.

╂[< Latin dialogus < Greek diálogos < diá- between + lógos speech < légein to speak]

–di´a|logu´er, noun.