a subject or topic on which a person writes or speaks; a proposition for discussion or argument; a text.-discourse on a certain subject.-a composition or essay required of a pupil.-a noun or verb, not modified by inflections; also, that part of a noun or verb which remains unchanged (except by euphonic variations) in declension or conjugation; stem.-that by means of which a thing is done; means; instrument.-the leading subject of a composition or a movement.