THESIS is defined in part with: 1 : b : an affirmation or proposition to be proved or one advanced without proof esp. in contrast with a negation: as...(5 ) Hegelianism: the proposition or conception of representing the first and least adequate stage of developing thought - compare ANTITHESIS, SYNTHESIS

ANTITHESIS: 2 : a philisophical proposition opposed to a given thesis: ...b Hegelianism: the negative moment in the movement of thought that denies the thesis and is in turn transcended in the synthesis

SYNTHESIS: 3 : b : the combination of separate elements of sensation or thought into a whole c Hegelianism : the combination of partial truths of a thesis and its antithesis into a higher stage of truth - compare DIALECTIC

DIALECTIC: 1 : the theory and practice of weighing and reconciling juxtaposed or contradictory arguments for the purpose of arriving at the truth...2 : b Hegelianism : a logical development progressing from less to more comprehensive levels that on its subjective side is passage of thought from a thesis through an antithesis to a synthesis that in turn becomes a thesis for further progressions ultimately culminating in the absolute idea and on its objective side is an analagous development in the process of history and the cosmos

this citation is from Webster's Third International Dictionary (unabridged) copyright 2002

this post should tie in with what i have to come but i thought i'd share it standing alone as well. a definition in terms of Kantianism also runs from thesis to dialectic. i chose the Hegelian for what appeared to be a more developed clarity.