lemma

noun, plural lem·mas, lem·ma·ta [lem–uh-tuh] /ˈlɛm ə tə/.

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.

noun, plural lem·mas. Botany.

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

noun plural -mas or -mata (-mətə)

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

noun plural -mas or -mata (-mətə)

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

n.1560s, first in mathematics, from Greek lemma (plural lemmata) “something received or taken; an argument; something taken for granted,” from root of lambanein “to take” (see analemma). Plural lemmas lemmata (lĕm′ə-tə)

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