from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Treatise \Trea"tise\, n. [OE. tretis, OF. treitis, traitis, well
made. See {Treat}.]
1. A written composition on a particular subject, in which
its principles are discussed or explained; a tract.
--Chaucer.
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He published a treatise in which he maintained that
a marriage between a member of the Church of England
and a dissenter was a nullity. --Macaulay.
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Note: A treatise implies more form and method than an essay,
but may fall short of the fullness and completeness of
a systematic exposition.
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2. Story; discourse. [R.] --Shak.
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