treatise

noun trea·tise \ ˈtrē-təs also -təz \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of treatise

1 : a systematic exposition or argument in writing including a methodical discussion of the facts and principles involved and conclusions reached

a treatise on higher education

2 obsolete : account, tale

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Recent Examples of treatise from the Web

In the margins of his copy of Condorcet’s treatise Outlines of an Historical View of the Progress of the Human Mind, President John Adams scribbled a cutting note.

— jackie mansky, Smithsonian, "The Age-Old Problem of “Fake News”," 7 May 2018
The Bernard Herrmann musical score merits co-lead status in Alfred Hitchcock’s haunting treatise on romantic obsession, alongside James Stewart and Kim Novak.

— michael phillips, chicagotribune.com, "10 movies to see in Chicago this summer," 2 May 2018
In spite of its treatise-like title, the novel can feel so inwardly directed that Heti appears to be writing only for herself.

— rachel aviv, The New Yorker, "Sheila Heti Wrestles with a Big Decision in “Motherhood”," 30 Apr. 2018
On display are treasures such as the Canon of Medicine, a medical treatise written by Avicenna, a scientist born in 10th-century Uzbekistan, and manuscripts that put an Islamic spin on ancient Greek medical works.

— erin blakemore, Washington Post, "How the Islamic world saw science from ancient times," 25 Feb. 2018
After all, this is musical theater, not a historical treatise.

— david lyman, Cincinnati.com, "How Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'The King and I' makes sense today," 6 Apr. 2018
Some 300 years later, someone translated that treatise into the ancient language of Syriac.

— julissa treviño, Smithsonian, "High-Powered X-Rays Reveal What’s Beneath 11th-Century Religious Text," 15 Mar. 2018
In 1776, Scottish economist Adam Smith published his treatise, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, which is regarded as the bedrock upon which modern capitalism stands.

— kim kelly, Teen Vogue, "What “Capitalism” Is and How It Affects People," 11 Apr. 2018
Rendsburg had read Penkower’s 20-page treatise, and knew right away that the scroll sheet Brener found was Penkower’s subject of study, resurfacing more than a decade later.

— alexandra dematos, Philly.com, "Ancient Torah scroll sheet preserved for public display. A Rutgers professor played a vital role in its acquisition," 10 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'treatise.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of treatise

Middle English tretis, from Anglo-French tretiz, alteration of tretez, traitet, from Medieval Latin tractatus, from Latin tractare to treat, handle

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

TREATISE Defined for English Language Learners

treatise

noun

Definition of treatise for English Language Learners

: a book, article, etc., that discusses a subject carefully and thoroughly

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