dissertation vs study

dissertation

noun
  • A formal exposition of a subject, especially a research paper that students write in order to complete the requirements for a doctoral degree in the US and a non-doctoral degree in the UK; a thesis. 

  • A lengthy lecture on a subject; a treatise; a discourse; a sermon. 

study

noun
  • An academic publication. 

  • A room in a house intended for reading and writing; traditionally the private room of the male head of household. 

  • The human face, bearing an expression which the observer finds amusingly typical of a particular emotion or state of mind. 

  • Mental effort to acquire knowledge or learning. 

  • Any particular branch of learning that is studied; any object of attentive consideration. 

  • An endgame problem composed for artistic merit, where one side is to play for a win or for a draw. 

  • An artwork made in order to practise or demonstrate a subject or technique. 

  • A piece for special practice; an étude. 

  • The act of studying or examining; examination. 

  • One who commits a theatrical part to memory. 

verb
  • To endeavor diligently; to be zealous. 

  • To acquire knowledge on a subject with the intention of applying it in practice. 

  • To look at minutely. 

  • To review materials already learned in order to make sure one does not forget them, usually in preparation for an examination. 

  • To take a course or courses on a subject. 

  • To fix the mind closely upon a subject; to dwell upon anything in thought; to muse; to ponder. 

How often have the words dissertation and study occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )