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lemma - 7 dictionary results

lem⋅ma

1[lem-uh]
–noun, plural lem⋅mas, lem⋅ma⋅ta [lem-uh-tuh] .
1. a subsidiary proposition introduced in proving some other proposition; a helping theorem.
2. an argument, theme, or subject, esp. when indicated in a heading.
3. a word or phrase that is glossed; headword.

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

lem⋅ma

2[lem-uh]
–noun, plural lem⋅mas. Botany.
a bract in a grass spikelet just below the pistil and stamens.

Origin:
1745–55; < Gk lémma shell, husk, akin to lépein to peel
lem·ma 1   (lěm'ə)   
n.   pl. lem·mas or lem·ma·ta (lěm'ə-tə)
  1. A subsidiary proposition assumed to be valid and used to demonstrate a principal proposition.
  2. A theme, argument, or subject indicated in a title.
  3. A word or phrase treated in a glossary or similar listing.

[Latin lēmma, from Greek, from lambanein, to take.]
lem·ma 2   (lěm'ə)   
n.  The outer or lower of the two bracts that enclose the flower in a grass spikelet.

[Greek, husk, from lepein, to peel.]

Lemma

Lem"ma\ (l[e^]m"m[.a]), n.; pl. L. Lemmata (-m[.a]*t[.a]), E. Lemmas (-m[.a]z). [L. lemma, Gr. lh^mma anything received, an assumption or premise taken for granted, fr. lamba`nein to take, assume. Cf. Syllable.] A preliminary or auxiliary proposition demonstrated or accepted for immediate use in the demonstration of some other proposition, as in mathematics or logic.
lemma   (lěm'ə)  Pronunciation Key 
Plural lemmas or lemmata (lěm'ə-tə)
The outer or lower of the two bracts enclosing one of the flowers within a grass spikelet.

lemma logic
A result already proved, which is needed in the proof of some further result.
(1995-03-25)

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