What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tractate
Example
The rabbi gave a lecture on a tractate of the Talmud. [tractate: noun]
Example
The book contains a tractate on the history of philosophy. [tractate: noun]
treatise
Example
The philosopher wrote a treatise on ethics. [treatise: noun]
Example
The book is a comprehensive treatise on the principles of physics. [treatise: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Treatise is more commonly used than tractate in everyday language and covers a wider range of subjects. Tractate is less common and is primarily used in Jewish scholarship.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between tractate and treatise?
Both tractate and treatise are formal words that are used in academic or scholarly contexts. However, tractate may have a more specialized and technical connotation, while treatise may have a more general and accessible connotation.
