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Definition of thesis

Did you know.

In high school, college, or graduate school, students often have to write a thesis on a topic in their major field of study. In many fields, a final thesis is the biggest challenge involved in getting a master's degree, and the same is true for students studying for a Ph.D. (a Ph.D. thesis is often called a dissertation ). But a thesis may also be an idea; so in the course of the paper the student may put forth several theses (notice the plural form) and attempt to prove them.

Examples of thesis in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thesis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

in sense 3, Middle English, lowering of the voice, from Late Latin & Greek; Late Latin, from Greek, downbeat, more important part of a foot, literally, act of laying down; in other senses, Latin, from Greek, literally, act of laying down, from tithenai to put, lay down — more at do

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a(1)

Dictionary Entries Near thesis

the sins of the fathers are visited upon the children

thesis novel

Cite this Entry

“Thesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thesis. Accessed 15 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of thesis, more from merriam-webster on thesis.

Nglish: Translation of thesis for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of thesis for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thesis

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  • 1.1 Etymology
  • 1.2 Pronunciation
  • 1.3.1 Inflection
  • 1.3.2 Derived terms
  • 1.3.3 Descendants
  • 1.4 References

Ancient Greek

From τίθημι ( títhēmi , “ I put, place ” ) +‎ -σις ( -sis ) , although it could either have been formed in Greek or go back earlier. In the latter case, would be from a Proto-Indo-European *dʰéh₁tis , from *dʰeh₁- (root of τίθημι ( títhēmi ) ). Cognates include Sanskrit अपिहिति ( ápihiti ) , Avestan 𐬀𐬭𐬋𐬌𐬛𐬍𐬙𐬌 ( arōidīti ) , Latin conditiō , and Gothic 𐌲𐌰𐌳𐌴𐌸𐍃 ( gadēþs ) . More at deed .

Pronunciation

  • IPA ( key ) : /tʰé.sis/ → /ˈθe.sis/ → /ˈθe.sis/
  • ( 5 th BCE Attic ) IPA ( key ) : /tʰé.sis/
  • ( 1 st CE Egyptian ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈtʰe.sis/
  • ( 4 th CE Koine ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈθe.sis/
  • ( 10 th CE Byzantine ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈθe.sis/
  • ( 15 th CE Constantinopolitan ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈθe.sis/

θέσῐς • ( thésis )  f ( genitive θέσεως ) ; third declension

  • a setting , placement , arrangement
  • adoption (of a child)
  • adoption (in the more general sense of accepting as one's own)
  • ( philosophy ) position , conclusion , thesis
  • ( dance ) putting down the foot
  • ( metre ) the last half of the foot
  • ( rhetoric ) affirmation
  • ( grammar ) stop
Case / # Singular Dual Plural
Nominative
hē thésis

tṑ thései

hai théseis
Genitive
tês théseōs

toîn theséoin

tôn théseōn
Dative
têi thései

toîn theséoin
/
taîs thésesi(n)
Accusative
tḕn thésin

tṑ thései

tā̀s théseis
Vocative
thési

thései

théseis
Notes: .

Derived terms

  • ἀνάθεσις ( anáthesis )
  • ἀντένθεσις ( anténthesis )
  • ἀντεπίθεσις ( antepíthesis )
  • ἀντίθεσις ( antíthesis )
  • ἀντιμετάθεσις ( antimetáthesis )
  • ἀντιπαράθεσις ( antiparáthesis )
  • ἀπόθεσις ( apóthesis )
  • διάθεσις ( diáthesis )
  • εἴσθεσις ( eísthesis )
  • ἔκθεσις ( ékthesis )
  • ἐναπόθεσις ( enapóthesis )
  • ἔνθεσις ( énthesis )
  • ἐπείσθεσις ( epeísthesis )
  • ἐπέκθεσις ( epékthesis )
  • ἐπένθεσις ( epénthesis )
  • ἐπίθεσις ( epíthesis )
  • ἐπιπρόσθεσις ( epiprósthesis )
  • ἐπισύνθεσις ( episúnthesis )
  • ἡμισύνθεσις ( hēmisúnthesis )
  • κατάθεσις ( katáthesis )
  • μετάθεσις ( metáthesis )
  • παράθεσις ( paráthesis )
  • παρέκθεσις ( parékthesis )
  • παρένθεσις ( parénthesis )
  • περίθεσις ( períthesis )
  • προδιάθεσις ( prodiáthesis )
  • προέκθεσις ( proékthesis )
  • πρόθεσις ( próthesis )
  • πρόσθεσις ( prósthesis )
  • συγκατάθεσις ( sunkatáthesis )
  • συναντίθεσις ( sunantíthesis )
  • συνεπίθεσις ( sunepíthesis )
  • σύνθεσις ( súnthesis )
  • ὑπέκθεσις ( hupékthesis )
  • ὑπέρθεσις ( hupérthesis )
  • ὑπόθεσις ( hupóthesis )

Descendants

  • “ θέσις ”, in Liddell & Scott ( 1940 ) A Greek–English Lexicon , Oxford: Clarendon Press
  • “ θέσις ”, in Liddell & Scott ( 1889 ) An Intermediate Greek–English Lexicon , New York: Harper & Brothers
  • θέσις in Bailly, Anatole ( 1935 ) Le Grand Bailly: Dictionnaire grec-français , Paris: Hachette
  • Bauer, Walter et al. ( 2001 ) A Greek–English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature , Third edition, Chicago: University of Chicago Press
  • “ θέσις ”, in Slater, William J. ( 1969 ) Lexicon to Pindar , Berlin: Walter de Gruyter
  • θέσις in Trapp, Erich, et al. ( 1994–2007 ) Lexikon zur byzantinischen Gräzität besonders des 9.-12. Jahrhunderts [ the Lexicon of Byzantine Hellenism, Particularly the 9th–12th Centuries ], Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften
  • assumption idem, page 48.
  • caution idem, page 119.
  • deposit idem, page 212.
  • earnest idem, page 259.
  • hypothesis idem, page 412.
  • place idem, page 616.
  • position idem, page 628.
  • site idem, page 779.
  • situation idem, page 780.
  • station idem, page 813.
  • supposition idem, page 842.
  • thesis idem, page 865.
  • Beekes, Robert S. P. ( 2010 ) Etymological Dictionary of Greek (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 10 ), with the assistance of Lucien van Beek, Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN

greek root word for thesis

  • Ancient Greek terms derived from Proto-Indo-European
  • Ancient Greek terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰeh₁-
  • Ancient Greek terms suffixed with -σις
  • Ancient Greek terms inherited from Proto-Indo-European
  • Ancient Greek 2-syllable words
  • Ancient Greek terms with IPA pronunciation
  • Ancient Greek lemmas
  • Ancient Greek nouns
  • Ancient Greek paroxytone terms
  • Ancient Greek feminine nouns
  • Ancient Greek third-declension nouns
  • Ancient Greek feminine nouns in the third declension
  • grc:Philosophy
  • grc:Rhetoric
  • grc:Grammar
  • Sanskrit terms with non-redundant manual transliterations
  • Avestan terms with redundant transliterations
  • Ancient Greek terms with redundant script codes

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thesis noun

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What does the noun thesis mean?

There are seven meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun thesis . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

thesis has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

Entry status

OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

How common is the noun thesis ?

How is the noun thesis pronounced?

British english, u.s. english, where does the noun thesis come from.

Earliest known use

Middle English

The earliest known use of the noun thesis is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).

OED's earliest evidence for thesis is from before 1398, in a translation by John Trevisa, translator.

thesis is a borrowing from Greek.

Etymons: Greek θέσις .

Nearby entries

  • thesaurus, n. 1823–
  • thesaury, n. a1639–1708
  • these, n. a1600–48
  • these, pron. & adj. Old English–
  • Thesean, adj. 1815–
  • Theseid, n. 1725–
  • Theseium, n. 1819–
  • these-like, adj. 1644–
  • thesial, adj. 1654
  • thesicle, n. 1863–
  • thesis, n. a1398–
  • thesis-novel, n. 1934–
  • thesis-play, n. 1902–
  • thesmophilist, n. 1644–
  • Thesmophorian, adj. 1891–
  • Thesmophoric, adj. 1788–
  • thesmothete, n. 1603–
  • thesocyte, n. 1887–
  • thesp, n. 1962–
  • Thespian, adj. & n. 1675–
  • Thespianism, n. 1914–

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Meaning & use

Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for thesis, n..

thesis, n. was first published in 1912; not yet revised.

thesis, n. was last modified in December 2023.

Revision of the OED is a long-term project. Entries in oed.com which have not been revised may include:

  • corrections and revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
  • new senses, phrases, and quotations which have been added in subsequent print and online updates.

Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into thesis, n. in December 2023.

Earlier versions of this entry were published in:

OED First Edition (1912)

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OED Second Edition (1989)

  • View thesis in OED Second Edition

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Citation details

Factsheet for thesis, n., browse entry.

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Dictionary definition of thesis

A statement or theory that is put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved. "The thesis was published in an academic journal and received widespread recognition."

Detailed meaning of thesis

The thesis is typically a central idea or argument that is developed and presented in a written work, such as a dissertation or research paper. In higher education, a thesis is often a requirement for a graduate degree, such as a Master's or a PhD. The thesis is usually written under the supervision of a thesis advisor or mentor, and it presents original research or an original interpretation of existing research on a specific topic. The main purpose of a thesis is to contribute new knowledge and understanding to the field of study. It must be based on a rigorous research, the results must be presented in a logical and coherent manner and it must be written in a scholarly manner. Additionally, the thesis should demonstrate the student's ability to conduct independent research, to critically evaluate the existing literature, and to communicate their ideas effectively.

Example sentences containing thesis

1. Her thesis on renewable energy proposed innovative solutions for sustainability. 2. The professor praised the clarity of his student's thesis on social inequality. 3. The thesis of his argument was that technology enhances human communication. 4. The thesis of the book challenged conventional wisdom on economic policy. 5. Grad students often spend years researching and writing their theses. 6. The thesis behind the research project aimed to address pressing health issues.

History and etymology of thesis

The noun ' thesis ' has its etymological roots in ancient Greek. It is derived from the Greek word 'θέσις' (thésis), which means 'a setting down' or 'a position.' In the context of ancient Greece, ' thesis ' was used to refer to a proposition or statement that was put forward as the basis of an argument or discussion. It represented a foundational idea or premise that was to be maintained or proved through reasoning and evidence. As the term entered the English language, it retained this fundamental sense and is now commonly used to describe a statement or theory that serves as the central point of an argument or research project. It embodies the concept of a position or assertion that is presented for examination and verification. Therefore, the etymology of ' thesis ' underscores its use as a noun to denote a statement or theory set forth as a premise to be upheld or substantiated.

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Further usage examples of thesis

1. She defended her thesis before a panel of expert examiners. 2. The conference featured presentations on a wide range of academic theses. 3. His groundbreaking thesis reshaped the field of quantum physics. 4. The thesis statement should encapsulate the main argument of your essay. 5. The thesis explored the intersection of art, culture, and identity in society. 6. The professor praised the student's thesis for its originality and depth. 7. His thesis explored the intersection of psychology and literature. 8. The defense of her thesis was a nerve-wracking but rewarding experience. 9. The thesis statement succinctly summarized the main argument of the paper. 10. The committee members engaged in a lively debate about the merits of the thesis . 11. The thesis proposed a new framework for understanding economic inequality. 12. After hours of editing, her thesis was finally ready for submission. 13. The library had an extensive collection of theses from various academic fields. 14. He was awarded a scholarship for his outstanding thesis on urban planning. 15. The thesis challenged existing theories and presented a fresh perspective. 16. The thesis project required extensive fieldwork and data analysis. 17. Her thesis was published in a reputable journal, gaining widespread recognition. 18. The thesis defense was attended by faculty members, peers, and family. 19. The thesis examined the historical context of the Renaissance art movement. 20. The graduate student presented her thesis findings at an international conference. 21. The thesis highlighted the need for further research in the field of genetics. 22. The thesis concluded with a call to action for policy changes in healthcare. 23. The advisor provided valuable guidance throughout the thesis writing process. 24. The thesis was a culmination of years of research and academic dedication.

Quiz categories containing thesis

'thesis' is one of the flashcards in the 'Advancement and Improvement' category

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'thesis' is one of the flashcards in the 'Analytical and Interpretive' category

idea,proposal,subject

eb68db_25c2c7b47f1e4d05beafaf715574acce.mp3

proposition, fact, certainty, proof

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eb68db_c76b20eee4f544739692acee8c95f51e~mv2.jpg, https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eb68db_14656208e4464bb1a273d7ac7b8c2c94~mv2.jpg, https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eb68db_c3952e52756542aa8faaaa2b25f9be00~mv2.jpg, https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eb68db_d757bc63d7994d5a85f0a9fb1a72ce57~mv2.jpg, https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eb68db_2cfea7e709504d5c8f6e4f13a02e7288~mv2.jpg, https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eb68db_8d472ca04c55431b968d52a6a249030a~mv2.jpg

argument,assertion,hypothesis,postulate,proposition,supposition

Advancement and Improvement, Analytical and Interpretive, Nuance and Precision, Resilience and Resolve, Endeavor and Pursuit, Education and Mastery

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  • Meaning of θέσις

θέσις ( Ancient Greek)

Origin & history.

  • a setting , placement , arrangement
  • adoption (of a child)
  • adoption (in the more general sense of accepting as one's own)
  • ( philosophy ) position , conclusion , thesis
  • ( dancing ) putting down the foot
  • ( metre ) the last half of the foot
  • ( rhetoric ) affirmation
  • ( grammar ) stop

▾  Derived words & phrases

  • ἀντεπίθεσις
  • ἀντιμετάθεσις
  • ἀντιπαράθεσις
  • ἐπιπρόσθεσις
  • ἐπισύνθεσις
  • ἡμισύνθεσις
  • προδιάθεσις
  • συγκατάθεσις
  • συναντίθεσις
  • συνεπίθεσις

▾  Descendants

  • Latin: thesis

▾  Dictionary entries

Entries where "θέσις" occurs:

thesis : thesis (English) Origin & history From Latin thesis, from Ancient Greek θέσις ("a proposition, a statement, a thing laid down, thesis in rhetoric, thesis in prosody") Pronunciation IPA: /ˈθiːsɪs/ Pronunciation example: Audio (US) Rhymes:…

deed : …action"), Swedish and Danish dåd ("act, action"). The Proto-Indo-European root is also the source of Ancient Greek θέσις ("setting, arrangement"). Related to do. Pronunciation IPA: /diːd/ Pronunciation example: Audio (US) Rhymes:…

tes : …Origin & history I Noun tes Indefinite genitive singular of te Origin & history II From Latin thesis and Ancient Greek θέσις ("a proposition, a statement"), used in Swedish since 1664. Noun tes (common gender) a thesis, a statement…

Tat : …Low German Daat‎, Dutch daad‎, English deed‎, Danish dåd‎, Gothic 𐌳𐌴𐌸𐍃‎, and Ancient Greek θέσις ‎ ("arrangement"). Pronunciation IPA: /taːt/ Rhymes: -aːt Homophones: tat Noun Tat (fem.) (genitive Tat…

antithesis : antithesis (English) Origin & history From Ancient Greek ἀντί ("against") + θέσις ("position"). Surface analysis anti- + thesis. Pronunciation (Amer. Eng.) IPA: /ænˈtɪ.θə.sɪs/ Pronunciation example: Audio (US) Examples:…

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θέσκελος (Ancient Greek)

θές (Ancient Greek)

θέτης (Ancient Greek)

θέτο (Ancient Greek)

θέτω (Greek)

θέω (Ancient Greek)

θέων (Ancient Greek)

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Thesis etymology

English word thesis comes from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁-, Proto-Indo-European - -tis, and later Proto-Indo-European *dʰédʰeh₁ti (To be doing. To be putting, placing.)

Etymology of thesis

Detailed word origin of thesis.

Dictionary entry Language Definition
*dʰeh₁- Proto-Indo-European
- -tis Proto-Indo-European
*dʰédʰeh₁ti Proto-Indo-European To be doing. To be putting, placing.
*dʰéh₁tis Proto-Indo-European Act of putting, placement.
τίθημι Ancient Greek
*tʰétis Proto-Hellenic Arrangement. Placement. Setting.
θέσις Ancient Greek
thesis Latin Thesis.
thesis English (logic) An affirmation, or distinction from a supposition or hypothesis.. (music) The accented part of the measure, expressed by the downward beat; the opposite of arsis.. (poetry) The depression of the voice in pronouncing the syllables of a word.. (poetry) The part of the metrical foot upon which such a depression falls.. A statement supported by arguments.. A written essay, especially one [...]

Words with the same origin as thesis

Descendants of *dʰeh₁-, descendants of - -tis.

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[ thee -sis ]

He vigorously defended his thesis on the causes of war.

Synonyms: proposal , contention , theory

  • a subject for a composition or essay.
  • a dissertation on a particular subject in which one has done original research, as one presented by a candidate for a diploma or degree.
  • Music. the downward stroke in conducting; downbeat. Compare arsis ( def 1 ) .
  • a part of a metrical foot that does not bear the ictus or stress.
  • (less commonly) the part of a metrical foot that bears the ictus. Compare arsis ( def 2 ) .
  • Philosophy. Hegelian dialectic

/ ˈθiːsɪs /

  • a dissertation resulting from original research, esp when submitted by a candidate for a degree or diploma
  • a doctrine maintained or promoted in argument
  • a subject for a discussion or essay
  • an unproved statement, esp one put forward as a premise in an argument
  • music the downbeat of a bar, as indicated in conducting
  • (in classical prosody) the syllable or part of a metrical foot not receiving the ictus Compare arsis
  • philosophy the first stage in the Hegelian dialectic, that is challenged by the antithesis
  • The central idea in a piece of writing, sometimes contained in a topic sentence .

Discover More

Word history and origins.

Origin of thesis 1

Example Sentences

“The Saudis have been proving the thesis of the film — they do in fact have an army,” said Thor Halvorssen, founder and chief executive of the nonprofit Human Rights Foundation, which funded the movie.

It’s a hypothesis that Bush pursued in her master’s thesis, and last year she began attending virtual Goth parties in a final round of field work before defending her doctoral thesis later this year.

While this partnership was planned prior to the coronavirus outbreak, co-founder Jordana Kier said the pandemic instantly proved out the expansion thesis.

They’ve had to defend that thesis for a very, very long time in front of a variety of different customers and different people.

Over the past decade, In-Q-Tel has been one of the most active investors in the commercial space sector, with a broad investment thesis that touches many aspects of the sector.

In “Back Home,” Gil also revisits the nostalgia for the South explored in his Johns Hopkins thesis, “Circle of Stone.”

At least father and son were in alignment on this central thesis: acting “gay”—bad; being thought of as gay—bad.

Her doctoral thesis, says Ramin Takloo at the University of Illinois, was simply outstanding.

Marshall McLuhan long ago argued the now accepted thesis that different mediums have different influences on thinking.

He wrote his Master's thesis on the underrepresentation of young people in Congress.

And indeed for most young men a college thesis is but an exercise for sharpening the wits, rarely dangerous in its later effects.

It will be for the reader to determine whether the main thesis of the book has gained or lost by the new evidence.

But the word thesis, when applied to Systems, does not mean the 'position' of single notes, but of groups of notes.

This conclusion, it need hardly be said, is in entire agreement with the main thesis of the preceding pages.

Sundry outlying Indians, with ammunition to waste, took belly and knee rests and strengthened the thesis to the contrary.

Related Words

  • proposition
  • supposition

What Is The Plural Of Thesis?

Plural word for  thesis.

The plural form of thesis is theses , pronounced [ thee -seez ]. The plurals of several other singular words that end in -is are also formed in this way, including hypothesis / hypotheses , crisis / crises , and axis / axes . A similar change is made when pluralizing appendix as appendices . 

Irregular plurals that are formed like theses derive directly from their original pluralization in Latin and Greek.

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greek root word for thesis

                                                 
Word part Type Origin Definition
prefix Old English on
prefix Latin to, toward
, an- prefix Greek not, without
abs- prefix Latin from, away from
-ibility, -bility, -ubility noun-forming suffix Latin ability to do, be, or undergo
-ible, -ble adjective-forming suffix Latin capable of being, doing, or undergoing
-ibly adverb-forming suffix Latin in the manner or way indicated by the adjective
adjective-forming suffix Greek in adjectives: of or pertaining to; resembling; in nouns: someone afflicted with;
prefix Latin to, toward
acr, acer root Latin sharp, bitter, sour
adjective-forming suffix Latin resembling, related to, made of, or, in biological science, belonging to (a taxonomic class)
adjective-forming suffix Latin full of, characterized by
root Greek high, extremity, tip
ag root Latin do, drive
prefix Latin to, toward
-ade noun-forming suffix Greek group (of a certain number indicated by the base)
aero root Greek air, gas
prefix Latin to, toward
prefix Latin to, toward
noun-forming suffix Latin act, process, or result of (the action indicated by the verb base)
agog, agogy root Greek leader
 
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(th s s) (-s z) A proposition that is maintained by argument. A dissertation advancing an original point of view as a result of research, especially as a requirement for an academic degree. A hypothetical proposition, especially one put forth without proof. The first stage of the Hegelian dialectic process. The long or accented part of a metrical foot, especially in quantitative verse. The unaccented or short part of a metrical foot, especially in accentual verse. The accented section of a measure. Greek, from , to put; see dh - . Senses 5 and 6, Middle English, from Late Latin, lowering of the voice, from Greek, downbeat.]

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greek root word for thesis

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300 Commonly Used Greek & Latin Root Words, Prefixes, & Suffixes

root words suffixes and prefixes list

Many words in the English language are formed by taking base words or root words and adding combinations of prefixes and suffixes to them.

A  root word  is the primary form of a word. While root words may contain the core meaning of the word, they cannot stand alone. For example, “bene” is the root in the word “beneficial.”

A  base word  is slightly different from a root because a base is the basic form of a word that  can  stand on its own. For example, “commit” is the base in the word “commitment.” To differentiate the two, just remember that a base can have affixes attached to it, but it does not have to; a root must have an affix (prefix or suffix), or another root, attached to it in order to make it a whole word. 

A  prefix  is a word part that is placed at the beginning of a word to change or enhance its meaning. For example, “dis—” is the prefix of the word “disagree.”

A  suffix  is a word part that is placed at the end of a word to change or enhance its meaning. For example, “—ful” is the suffix of the word “thankful.”

Most English words are actually derivatives of ancient Greek and Latin words. Knowing Greek and Latin roots is an essential reading comprehension strategy for students because they could determine the meaning of an unknown word if they were familiar with any of the prefixes, suffixes, or root words attached to it. When context clues fail, breaking down words into their smallest parts can ensure your students will be successful.

 For example, students might not know what the word “contradict” means, but if they know that “contra” means  against  and “dict” means  speak , they can determine that  contradict  means: to assert the opposite against what someone has said. Another example is the word “incredulous.” If students know that “in” means  not , “cred” means  believe , and “ous” means   having , then they could conclude  incredulous  means: not having a readiness to believe things easily.

Greek and Latin word parts are a tool you want your students to have in their academic tool belt because having a strong vocabulary helps students tremendously with reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Below you can find a FREE, downloadable copy of the 300 most commonly used Greek and Latin root words, suffixes, and prefixes. You can choose particular word parts from the list below to use in your classroom or provide students with this comprehensive list to keep for reference. 

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Most helpful for my ESOL students. Have been searching for a resource such as this for ages.

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Thank you very much it is helpful for my TOEFL students as it helps learn their vocabulary . I do word formation recognizing prefixes/roots/ suffixes and this is very nice. Thank you

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I’m so in love with this. You did a great job!!

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Etymology

hypothesis (n.)

1590s, "a particular statement;" 1650s, "a proposition, assumed and taken for granted, used as a premise," from French hypothese and directly from Late Latin hypothesis , from Greek hypothesis "base, groundwork, foundation," hence in extended use "basis of an argument, supposition," literally "a placing under," from hypo- "under" (see hypo- ) + thesis "a placing, proposition" (from reduplicated form of PIE root *dhe- "to set, put"). A term in logic; narrower scientific sense is from 1640s.

Entries linking to hypothesis

1530s, "action, a thing performed, anything done, a deed," good or evil but in 16c.-17c. commonly "evil deed, crime;" from Latin factum "an event, occurrence, deed, achievement," in Medieval Latin also "state, condition, circumstance" (source also of Old French fait , Spanish hecho , Italian fatto ), etymologically "a thing done," noun use of neuter of factus , past participle of facere "to do" (from PIE root *dhe- "to set, put").

An earlier adaptation of the Old French word that also became feat . The older senses are mostly obsolete but somewhat preserved in such phrases as after the fact , originally legal, "after the crime." Also compare matter-of-fact .

The modern, empirical, sense of "thing known to be true, a real state of things, what has really occurred or is actually the case," as distinguished from statement or belief , is from 1630s, from the notion of "something that has actually occurred." The particular concept of the scientific, empirical fact ("a truth known by observation or authentic testimony") emerged in English 1660s, via Hooke, Boyle, etc., in The Royal Society, as part of the creation of the modern vocabulary of knowledge (along with theory , hypothesis , etc.); in early 18c. it was associated with the philosophical writings of Hume. Middle English thus lacked the noun and the idea of it; the closest expression being perhaps thing proved (c.1500).

Hence facts "real state of things;" in fact "in reality" (1707). By 1729, fact was being used of "something presented as a fact but which might be or is false."

By fact is also often meant a true statement, a truth, or truth in general ; but this seems to be a mere inexactness of language .... Fact , as being special, is sometimes opposed to truth , as being universal ; and in such cases there is an implication that facts are minute matters ascertained by research, and often inferior in their importance for the formation of general opinions, or for the general description of phenomena, to other matters which are of familiar experience. [Century Dictionary]

Facts of life is by 1854 as "the stark realities of existence;" by 1913 it had also acquired a more specific sense of "knowledge of human sexual functions." The alliterative pairing of facts and figures for "precise information" is by 1727.

Facts and Figures are the most stubborn Evidences; they neither yield to the most persuasive Eloquence, nor bend to the most imperious Authority. [Abel Boyer, "The Political State of Great Britain," 1727]

plural of hypothesis .

hypothesize

hypothetical

  • supposition
  • See all related words ( 8 ) >

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Dictionary entries near hypothesis

hypothalamus

hypothecate

hypothermia

hypothesise

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the-; them-, themat-, thes-, thet-

(latin: placing, setting; to place, to put).

  • Table of Contents

COMMENTS

  1. thesis

    thesis. (n.). late 14c., "unaccented syllable or note, a lowering of the voice in music," from Latin thesis "unaccented syllable in poetry," later (and more correctly) "stressed part of a metrical foot," from Greek thesis "a proposition," also "downbeat" (in music), originally "a setting down, a placing, an arranging; position, situation" (from reduplicated form of PIE root *dhe-"to set, put").

  2. thesis

    Noun [ edit] thesis (plural theses) ( rhetoric) A proposition or statement supported by arguments. (by extension) A lengthy essay written to establish the validity of a thesis (sense 1.1), especially one submitted in order to complete the requirements for a non- doctoral degree in the US and a doctoral degree in the UK; a dissertation .

  3. Thesis Definition & Meaning

    The meaning of THESIS is a dissertation embodying results of original research and especially substantiating a specific view; especially : one written by a candidate for an academic degree. ... from Late Latin & Greek; Late Latin, from Greek, downbeat, more important part of a foot, literally, act of laying down; in other senses, Latin, from ...

  4. θέσις

    θέσῐς • (thésis) f (genitive θέσεως); third declension. a setting, placement, arrangement. deposit. adoption (of a child) adoption (in the more general sense of accepting as one's own) ( philosophy) position, conclusion, thesis. ( dance) putting down the foot. (metre) the last half of the foot. ( rhetoric) affirmation.

  5. Greek Roots

    Here's a list of some of the most common Greek roots, in their usual combining form. (Most end in 'o.'. You just drop the 'o' if the following syllable begins in a vowel.) anthropo- man, human: anthropology, anthropomorphic, philanthropy. bio- life: antibiotic, biology, biosphere, probiotic, symbiosis.

  6. Greek Roots: Thesis Flashcards

    Match. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like thesis, thesis, theme and more.

  7. thesis, n. meanings, etymology and more

    There are eight meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun thesis. See 'Meaning & use' for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. thesis has developed meanings and uses in subjects including. prosody (Middle English) music (Middle English) rhetoric (late 1500s) logic (late 1500s) education (late 1700s) philosophy (1830s)

  8. Thesis

    The noun 'thesis' has its etymological roots in ancient Greek.It is derived from the Greek word 'θέσις' (thésis), which means 'a setting down' or 'a position.' In the context of ancient Greece, 'thesis' was used to refer to a proposition or statement that was put forward as the basis of an argument or discussion.It represented a foundational idea or premise that was to be maintained or ...

  9. θέσις‎ (Ancient Greek): meaning, translation

    θέσῐς (fem.) ( genitive θέσεως) a setting, placement, arrangement. deposit. adoption (of a child) adoption (in the more general sense of accepting as one's own) ( philosophy) position, conclusion, thesis. ( dancing) putting down the foot. ( metre) the last half of the foot. ( rhetoric) affirmation.

  10. Thesis etymology in English

    θέσις. Ancient Greek (grc) thesis. Latin (lat) Thesis. thesis. English (en) (logic) An affirmation, or distinction from a supposition or hypothesis.. (music) The accented part of the measure, expressed by the downward beat; the opposite of arsis.. (poetry) The depression of the voice in pronouncing the syllables of a word.. (poetry) The ...

  11. Syn and Thesis- Greek root words Flashcards

    Syn and Thesis- Greek root words. Syn. Click the card to flip 👆. with,together. Click the card to flip 👆.

  12. Thesis ( Greek Root Word ) Flashcards

    Thesis. A position taken in a argument supported by a set of reasons. Theme. An essay or composition on a certain subject with a statement and supporting reasons. Parenthesis. (Para - beside) - statement beside (or inside) a main sentence. Synthetic. (Syn-Together) elements put together to make a material like a natural one (synthetic rubber ...

  13. THESIS Definition & Meaning

    Thesis definition: a proposition stated or put forward for consideration, especially one to be discussed and proved or to be maintained against objections. See examples of THESIS used in a sentence.

  14. Full list of Greek, Latin, and Old English roots and affixes

    Search Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes alphabetically or by language origin, and view definitions and sample words

  15. List of Greek and Latin roots in English

    The English language uses many Greek and Latin roots, stems, and prefixes. These roots are listed alphabetically on three pages: Greek and Latin roots from A to G. Greek and Latin roots from H to O. Greek and Latin roots from P to Z. Some of those used in medicine and medical technology are listed in the List of medical roots, suffixes and ...

  16. What Is the Plural of Thesis

    It's a word many people might not always remember and enunciate. Thesis becomes theses in plural form for two reasons: 1) The word thesis has a Greek root, and theses is how it is pluralized in that original language. 2) There are many English words ending with -is that take on -es endings when pluralized: e.g., crisis becomes crises.

  17. American Heritage Dictionary Entry: thesis

    the·sis (th ē s ĭ s) Share: Tweet. n. pl. the·ses (-s ē z) 1. A proposition that is maintained by argument. 2. A dissertation advancing an original point of view as a result of research, especially as a requirement for an academic degree. 3. A hypothetical proposition, especially one put forth without proof.

  18. thesis-GREEK ROOT Flashcards

    Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like thesis (root), thesis (word), theme and more.

  19. 300 Commonly Used Greek & Latin Root Words, Prefixes, & Suffixes

    Greek and Latin word parts are a tool you want your students to have in their academic tool belt because having a strong vocabulary helps students tremendously with reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Below you can find a FREE, downloadable copy of the 300 most commonly used Greek and Latin root words, suffixes, and prefixes.

  20. hypothesis

    hypothesis. (n.) 1590s, "a particular statement;" 1650s, "a proposition, assumed and taken for granted, used as a premise," from French hypothese and directly from Late Latin hypothesis, from Greek hypothesis "base, groundwork, foundation," hence in extended use "basis of an argument, supposition," literally "a placing under," from hypo- "under ...

  21. Words with Greek root

    Words with Greek root - thesis. Get a hint. thesis. Click the card to flip 👆. a position taken in an argument, supported by a set of reasons. Click the card to flip 👆. 1 / 6.

  22. the-; them-, themat-, thes-, thet-

    metathesis (s), metatheses (pl) (nouns) 1. A reversal of the order of two sounds or letters in a word, either as a mispronunciation or as a historical development. 2. A "rhetorical transposition of words"; from Greek, then Late Latin metathesis, "change of position, transposition"; from the stem of metatithenai, "to transpose" from meta-, "to ...

  23. Thesis Statements + Greek and Latin Roots Flashcards

    something that can be proved by research or observation. A thesis statement should NOT be a fact, BUT. it should be supported by facts in your essay. opinion. something a person believes, thinks, or feels. A thesis should be your... opinion. affix. a group of letters added to the beginning or end of a word to change its meaning.