ˌdisə(r)ˈtāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin dissertation-, dissertatio, from dissertatus + -ion-, -io -ion
1. obsolete : discussion , debate
2. : an extended usually systematic oral or written treatment of a subject : treatise , disquisition ; specifically : a substantial paper that is submitted to the faculty of a university by a candidate for an advanced degree that is typically based on independent research and that if acceptable usually gives evidence of the candidate's mastery both of his own subject and of scholarly method — see thesis
Synonyms: see discourse