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ate argumentative discourse, oral or written; a disquisition; an essay; a discussion; as, Dissertations on the Prophecies.

Relating to dissertations; resembling a dissertation.

A writer of dissertations.

critic's art; of the nature of a criticism; accurate; as, critical knowledge; a critical dissertation.

A critical examination or estimate of a work of literature or art; a critical dissertation or essay; a careful and through analysis of any subject; a criticism; as, Kant's "Critique of Pure Reason." I should as soon expect to see a critique on the poesy of a ring as on the inscription of a medal. Addison.…

cutive speech, either written or unwritten, on a given line of thought; speech; treatise; dissertation; sermon, etc.; as, the preacher gave us a long discourse on duty.

The writer of a treatise or dissertation. Philologers and critical discoursers. Sir T. Browne.

investigation of a matter, with the arguments and facts bearing upon it; elaborate essay; dissertation. For accurate research or grave disquisition he was not well qualified. Macaulay.

To deal in dissertation; to write dissertations; to discourse. [R.] J. Foster.

One who writers a dissertation; one who discourses. Boyle.

A dissertation or digression appended to a work, and containing a more extended exposition of some important point or topic.

Done or performed extempore. "Extempore dissertation." Addison. "Extempore poetry." Dryden. -- n.

Hence, an essay or dissertation written upon specific or definite theme; especially, an essay presented by a candidate for a diploma or degree. 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, to prepa…

A written discourse or dissertation, generally of short extent; a short treatise, especially on practical religion. The church clergy at that writ the best collection of tracts against popery that ever appeared. Swift. Tracts for the Times. See Tractarian.

To disarm of a sting; to remove the sting of. [R.] "Elegant dissertations on virtue and vice . . . will not unsting calamity." J. M. Mason.