: a long piece of writing on a particular subject that is done to earn a degree at a university
: a statement that someone wants to discuss or prove
Full Definition of THESIS
Origin of thesis, related to thesis, other education terms, rhymes with thesis, definition of thesis for kids, learn more about thesis.
- thesis novel
- thesis play
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Meaning of thesis – Learner’s Dictionary
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thesis noun [C] ( WRITING )
Thesis noun [c] ( idea ).
(Definition of thesis from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
Translations of thesis
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Word of the Day
height above sea level
Keeping up appearances (Talking about how things seem)
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- 1.1 Etymology
- 1.2 Pronunciation
- 1.3.1 Derived terms
- 1.3.2 Related terms
- 1.3.3 Translations
- 1.4 References
- 1.5 Further reading
- 1.6 Anagrams
- 2.1 Etymology
- 2.2 Pronunciation
- 3.1 Etymology
- 3.2 Pronunciation
- 3.3.1 Declension
- 3.3.2 Descendants
- 3.4 References
English [ edit ]
Etymology [ edit ].
From Late Middle English thesis ( “ lowering of the voice ” ) [1] and also borrowed directly from its etymon Latin thesis ( “ proposition, thesis; lowering of the voice ” ) , from Ancient Greek θέσῐς ( thésis , “ arrangement, placement, setting; conclusion, position, thesis; lowering of the voice ” ) , from τῐ́θημῐ ( títhēmi , “ to place, put, set; to put down in writing; to consider as, regard ” ) [2] [3] (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- ( “ to do; to place, put ” ) ) + -σῐς ( -sis , suffix forming abstract nouns or nouns of action, process, or result ) . The English word is a doublet of deed .
Sense 1.1 (“proposition or statement supported by arguments”) is adopted from antithesis . [2] Sense 1.4 (“initial stage of reasoning”) was first used by the German philosopher Johann Gottlieb Fichte (1762–1814), and later applied to the dialectical method of his countryman, the philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831).
The plural form theses is borrowed from Latin thesēs , from Ancient Greek θέσεις ( théseis ) .
Pronunciation [ edit ]
- ( Received Pronunciation ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈθiːsɪs/ , ( archaic ) /ˈθɛsɪs/
- ( General American ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈθisɪs/
- Rhymes: -iːsɪs
- Hyphenation: the‧sis
- ( Received Pronunciation ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈθiːsiːz/
- ( General American ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈθisiz/
- Rhymes: -iːsiːz
- Hyphenation: the‧ses
Noun [ edit ]
thesis ( plural theses )
- ( rhetoric ) A proposition or statement supported by arguments .
- 1766 , [ Oliver Goldsmith ], “The Conclusion”, in The Vicar of Wakefield: [ … ] , volume II, Salisbury, Wiltshire: [ … ] B. Collins, for F [ rancis ] Newbery , [ … ] , →OCLC ; reprinted London: Elliot Stock , 1885 , →OCLC , pages 218–219 : I told them of the grave, becoming, and ſublime deportment they ſhould aſſume upon this myſtical occaſion, and read them two homilies and a theſis of my own compoſing, in order to prepare them.
- ( mathematics , computer science ) A conjecture , especially one too vague to be formally stated or verified but useful as a working convention.
- ( logic ) An affirmation , or distinction from a supposition or hypothesis .
- ( philosophy ) In the dialectical method of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel : the initial stage of reasoning where a formal statement of a point is developed ; this is followed by antithesis and synthesis .
- ( music , prosody , originally ) The action of lowering the hand or bringing down the foot when indicating a rhythm ; hence, an accented part of a measure of music or verse indicated by this action; an ictus , a stress . Antonym: arsis
- ( music , prosody , with a reversal of meaning ) A depression of the voice when pronouncing a syllables of a word ; hence, the unstressed part of the metrical foot of a verse upon which such a depression falls , or an unaccented musical note .
Derived terms [ edit ]
- all but thesis
- bachelor's thesis
- Church-Turing thesis
- conflict thesis
- doctoral thesis
- graduate thesis
- Habakkuk thesis
- master's thesis
- Merton thesis
- private language thesis
- thesis defense
- thesis film
- thesis statement
Related terms [ edit ]
Translations [ edit ], references [ edit ].
- ^ “ thē̆sis, n. ”, in MED Online , Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan , 2007 .
- ^ “ thesis, n. ”, in Lexico , Dictionary.com ; Oxford University Press , 2019–2022 .
Further reading [ edit ]
- “ thesis ”, in The Century Dictionary [ … ] , New York, N.Y.: The Century Co. , 1911 , →OCLC .
- “ thesis ”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary , Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam , 1913 , →OCLC .
Anagrams [ edit ]
- Heists , Sethis , heists , shiest , shites , sithes , thises
Dutch [ edit ]
From Latin thesis , from Ancient Greek θέσις ( thésis , “ a proposition, a statement, a thing laid down, thesis in rhetoric, thesis in prosody ” ) .
thesis f ( plural theses or thesissen , diminutive thesisje n )
- Dated form of these . Synonyms: dissertatie , proefschrift , scriptie
Latin [ edit ]
From Ancient Greek θέσις ( thésis , “ a proposition, a statement, a thing laid down, thesis in rhetoric, thesis in prosody ” ) .
- ( Classical Latin ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈtʰe.sis/ , [ˈt̪ʰɛs̠ɪs̠]
- ( modern Italianate Ecclesiastical ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈte.sis/ , [ˈt̪ɛːs̬is]
thesis f ( genitive thesis ) ; third declension
Declension [ edit ]
Descendants [ edit ].
- → Dutch: thesis
- → Armenian: թեզ ( tʻez )
- → Dutch: these
- → Persian: تز ( tez )
- → Romanian: teză
- → Turkish: tez
- Galician: tese
- Italian: tesi
- English: thesis
- Portuguese: tese
- Spanish: tesis
- “ thesis ”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short ( 1879 ) A Latin Dictionary , Oxford: Clarendon Press
- thesis in Gaffiot, Félix ( 1934 ) Dictionnaire illustré latin-français , Hachette.
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Definition of thesis noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
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thesis noun
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What does the noun thesis mean?
There are eight meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun thesis . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
thesis has developed meanings and uses in subjects including
Entry status
OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.
How common is the noun thesis ?
How is the noun thesis pronounced, british english, u.s. english, where does the noun thesis come from.
Earliest known use
Middle English
The earliest known use of the noun thesis is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).
OED's earliest evidence for thesis is from before 1398, in a translation by John Trevisa, translator.
thesis is a borrowing from Greek.
Etymons: Greek θέσις .
Nearby entries
- thesaurus, n. 1823–
- thesaury, n. a1639–1708
- these, n. a1600–48
- these, pron. & adj. Old English–
- Thesean, adj. 1815–
- Theseid, n. 1725–
- Theseium, n. 1819–
- these-like, adj. 1644–
- thesial, adj. 1654
- thesicle, n. 1863–
- thesis, n. a1398–
- thesis-novel, n. 1934–
- thesis-play, n. 1902–
- thesmophilist, n. 1644–
- Thesmophorian, adj. 1891–
- Thesmophoric, adj. 1788–
- thesmothete, n. 1603–
- thesocyte, n. 1887–
- thesp, n. 1962–
- Thespian, adj. & n. 1675–
- Thespianism, n. 1914–
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Meaning & use
Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for thesis, n..
thesis, n. was first published in 1912; not yet revised.
thesis, n. was last modified in March 2024.
Revision of the OED is a long-term project. Entries in oed.com which have not been revised may include:
- corrections and revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
- new senses, phrases, and quotations which have been added in subsequent print and online updates.
Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into thesis, n. in March 2024.
Earlier versions of this entry were published in:
OED First Edition (1912)
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OED Second Edition (1989)
- View thesis in OED Second Edition
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Citation details
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Word of the Day
What it means.
Symposium can refer either to a formal meeting at which experts discuss a particular topic, or to a collection of articles on a particular subject. Symposium has two plural forms: symposia and symposiums .
// Professors and graduate students attended a three-day symposium on climate change.
// The organization will be publishing a symposium on genetic research.
See the entry >
symposium in Context
“In 1966, at a meeting remembered in anthropological lore as the beginning of hunter-gatherer studies, seventy-five experts assembled in Chicago to synthesize our knowledge about foraging peoples. More than ninety-nine per cent of human history was spent without agriculture, the organizers figured, so it was worth documenting that way of life before it disappeared altogether. The symposium —and an associated volume that appeared two years later, both titled ‘Man the Hunter’—exemplified an obsession with hunting, meat-eating, and maleness.” — Manvir Singh, The New Yorker , 25 Sept. 2023
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When you hear the word symposium , you may—quite understandably—envision conferences full of intellectuals giving heady presentations on various arcana . But it was drinking, more than thinking, that drew people to the original symposia and gave us the word. Symposium ( symposia or symposiums in plural form) comes from the Greek noun symposion , the word ancient Greeks used for a drinking party that follows a banquet. Symposion in turn comes from sympinein , a verb that combines pinein , meaning “to drink,” with the prefix syn -, meaning “together.” Originally, English speakers only used symposium to refer to such an ancient Greek party, but in the 18th century British gentlemen’s clubs started using the word for confabs in which conversation was fueled by drinking. By the end of the 18th century, symposium had gained the more sober sense we know today, referring to meetings in which the focus is more on imbibing ideas and less on imbibing, say, mead .
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IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
The meaning of THESIS is a dissertation embodying results of original research and especially substantiating a specific view; especially : one written by a candidate for an academic degree. How to use thesis in a sentence.
Thesis definition: a proposition stated or put forward for consideration, especially one to be discussed and proved or to be maintained against objections. See examples of THESIS used in a sentence.
Synonyms for THESIS: argument, contention, assertion, hypothesis, theory, guess, assumption, hunch; Antonyms of THESIS: fact, knowledge, assurance, certainty
Lily Hay Newman, WIRED , 24 Aug. 2023. But the main thesis is: Any pause and later, cuts, in interest rates will be good for the cloud economy. —. R. Scott Raynovich, Forbes , 23 Mar. 2023. That was her senior thesis, her first pass at a story about life with Viva. —.
Thesis statement definition: a short statement, usually one sentence, that summarizes the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, etc., and is developed, supported, and explained in the text by means of examples and evidence.. See examples of THESIS STATEMENT used in a sentence.
Thesis definition: a proposition stated or put forward for consideration, especially one to be discussed and proved or to be maintained against objections. See examples of THESIS used in a sentence.
Full Definition of THESIS. 1. a (1): the unstressed part of a poetic foot especially in accentual verse (2): the longer part of a poetic foot especially in quantitative verse b: the accented part of a musical measure : downbeat — compare arsis. 2. a: a position or proposition that a person (as a candidate for scholastic honors) advances and ...
THESIS meaning: 1. a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one that is done for a higher…. Learn more.
THESIS definition: 1. a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one that is done for a higher…. Learn more.
thesis (that…) a statement or an opinion that is discussed in a logical way and presented with evidence in order to prove that it is true. The basic thesis of the book is fairly simple. These latest findings support the thesis that sexuality is determined by nature rather than choice.
Thesis definition: A proposition that is maintained by argument. A proposition maintained or defended in argument, formerly one publicly disputed by a candidate for a degree in a medieval university.
thesis: 1 n an unproved statement put forward as a premise in an argument Type of: assumption , premise , premiss a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn n a treatise advancing a new point of view resulting from research; usually a requirement for an advanced academic degree Synonyms: dissertation Type ...
Revised on April 16, 2024. A thesis is a type of research paper based on your original research. It is usually submitted as the final step of a master's program or a capstone to a bachelor's degree. Writing a thesis can be a daunting experience. Other than a dissertation, it is one of the longest pieces of writing students typically complete.
THESIS definition: 1. a long piece of writing that you do as part of an advanced university course: 2. a theory that…. Learn more.
Etymology. The term thesis comes from the Greek word θέσις, meaning "something put forth", and refers to an intellectual proposition. Dissertation comes from the Latin dissertātiō, meaning "discussion". Aristotle was the first philosopher to define the term thesis.. A 'thesis' is a supposition of some eminent philosopher that conflicts with the general opinion...for to take notice when ...
AMP: [noun] a nucleotide C10H12N5O3H2PO4 composed of adenosine and one phosphate group that is reversibly convertible to ADP and ATP in metabolic reactions — called also#R##N# adenosine monophosphate, adenylic acid; compare cyclic amp.
Step 1: Start with a question. You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis, early in the writing process. As soon as you've decided on your essay topic, you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.
Noun [ edit] thesis (plural theses) ( rhetoric) A proposition or statement supported by arguments. (by extension) A lengthy essay written to establish the validity of a thesis (sense 1.1), especially one submitted in order to complete the requirements for a non- doctoral degree in the US and a doctoral degree in the UK; a dissertation .
thesis - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. All Free. ... BA to mean a BA thesis/dissertation? bachelor thesis, work bachelor's degree / bachelor's thesis - capitalisation of "B"? can a thesis use? ... Look up "thesis" at Merriam-Webster
hypothesis: [noun] an assumption or concession made for the sake of argument. an interpretation of a practical situation or condition taken as the ground for action.
Definition of thesis noun in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
There are eight meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun thesis. See 'Meaning & use' for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. thesis has developed meanings and uses in subjects including. prosody (Middle English) music (Middle English) rhetoric (late 1500s) logic (late 1500s) education (late 1700s) philosophy (1830s)
The meaning of DISSERTATION is an extended usually written treatment of a subject; specifically : one submitted for a doctorate. How to use dissertation in a sentence.
What It Means. Symposium can refer either to a formal meeting at which experts discuss a particular topic, or to a collection of articles on a particular subject.Symposium has two plural forms: symposia and symposiums. // Professors and graduate students attended a three-day symposium on climate change. // The organization will be publishing a symposium on genetic research.