[ 'θi:sɪs ]
■ noun ( plural theses -si:z )
1》 a statement or theory that is put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved.
↘(in Hegelian philosophy) a proposition forming the first stage in the process of dialectical reasoning. Compare with anti~ , syn~ .
2》 a long essay or dissertation involving personal research, written as part of a university degree.
3》 also 'θɛsɪs Prosody an unstressed syllable or part of a metrical foot in Greek or Latin verse. Often contrasted with arsis .
Origin
ME: via late L. from Gk, lit. 'placing, a proposition', from the root of tithenai 'to place'.