lemma

¹

[ lem-uh ]

noun

, plural lem·mas, lem·ma·ta [lem, -, uh, -t, uh].

1. a subsidiary proposition introduced in proving some other proposition; a helping theorem.
2. an argument, theme, or subject, especially when indicated in a heading.
3. a word or phrase that is glossed; headword.

lemma

²

[ lem-uh ]

noun

, Botany.

, plural lem·mas.

1. a bract in a grass spikelet just below the pistil and stamens.

lemma

¹

/ ˈlɛmə /

noun

1. the outer of two bracts surrounding each floret in a grass spikelet Compare palea

lemma

²

/ ˈlɛmə /

noun

1. a subsidiary proposition, proved for use in the proof of another proposition
2. linguistics a word considered as its citation form together with all the inflected forms. For example, the lemma go consists of go together with goes, going, went, and gone
3. an argument or theme, esp when used as the subject or title of a composition

lemma

/ lĕm′ə /

, Plural lemmas lĕm′ə-tə

1. The outer or lower of the two bracts enclosing one of the flowers within a grass spikelet.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lemma¹

1560–70; < Latin: theme, title, epigram < Greek lêmma something received, premise, akin to lambánein to take, receive, take for granted

Origin of lemma²

1745–55; < Greek lémma shell, husk, akin to lépein to peel

Word History and Origins

Origin of lemma¹

C19: from Greek: rind, from lepein to peel

Origin of lemma²

C16 (meaning: proposition), C17 (meaning: title, theme): via Latin from Greek: premise, from lambanein to take (for granted)

Example Sentences

While working on one of them, Morel realized her proof called for a lemma — a type of short steppingstone result — that mathlib didn’t have.

From Quanta Magazine

Some American Authors have recently adopted for the flowering glume the term lemma introduced by Piper.

From Project Gutenberg

The method of exhaustion used, for the purpose of proof by reductio ad absurdum, the lemma proved in Eucl.

From Project Gutenberg

His apparatus is the first to supply a lemma for each variant reading reported, and is clear and easy to read.

From Project Gutenberg

The lemma in his note is Oratesque, the reading of Daniel Heinsius' edition.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• assumption
• axiom
• conclusion
• conjecture
• explanation
• guess
• inference
• interpretation
• premise
• proposition
• rationale
• supposition
• theorem
• thesis