a position or proposition which a person advances and offers to maintain, or which is actually maintained by argument.-hence, an essay or dissertation written upon specific or definite theme; especially, an essay presented by a candidate for a diploma or degree.-an affirmation, or distinction from a supposition or hypothesis.-the accented part of the measure, expressed by the downward beat; -- the opposite of arsis.-the depression of the voice in pronouncing the syllables of a word.-the part of the foot upon which such a depression falls.