Trēa'tise, n.

(Synop. § 130), n. [From treat.] A written composition on a particular subject, in which the principles of it are discussed or explained; a tract.

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.

☞ A treatise implies more form and method than an essay, but may fall short of the fullness and completeness of a systematic exposition.