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lemma
1[ lem-uh ]
/ ˈlɛm ə /
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noun, plural lem·mas, lem·ma·ta [lem-uh-tuh]. /ˈlɛm ə tə/.
a subsidiary proposition introduced in proving some other proposition; a helping theorem.
an argument, theme, or subject, especially when indicated in a heading.
a word or phrase that is glossed; headword.
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Origin of lemma
11560–70; <Latin: theme, title, epigram <Greek lêmma something received, premise, akin to lambánein to take, receive, take for granted
Words nearby lemma
LeMay, Lemberg, Lemessus, Lemieux, Le Misanthrope, lemma, lemmatize, lemme, lemming, Lemminkäinen, Lemnian
Other definitions for lemma (2 of 2)
lemma2
[ lem-uh ]
/ ˈlɛm ə /
noun, plural lem·mas.Botany.
a bract in a grass spikelet just below the pistil and stamens.
Origin of lemma
21745–55; <Greek lémma shell, husk, akin to lépein to peel
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use lemma in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for lemma (1 of 2)
lemma1
/ (ˈlɛmə) /
noun plural -mas or -mata (-mətə)
a subsidiary proposition, proved for use in the proof of another proposition
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
an argument or theme, esp when used as the subject or title of a composition
Word Origin for lemma
C16 (meaning: proposition), C17 (meaning: title, theme): via Latin from Greek: premise, from lambanein to take (for granted)
British Dictionary definitions for lemma (2 of 2)
lemma2
/ (ˈlɛmə) /
noun plural -mas or -mata (-mətə)
the outer of two bracts surrounding each floret in a grass spikeletCompare palea
Word Origin for lemma
C19: from Greek: rind, from lepein to peel
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Scientific definitions for lemma
lemma
[ lĕm′ə ]
Plural lemmas lemmata (lĕm′ə-tə)
The outer or lower of the two bracts enclosing one of the flowers within a grass spikelet.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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