lemma

n., pl., -mas, or lem·ma·ta (lĕm'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·ma² (lĕm'ə)
n.
The outer or lower of the two bracts that enclose the flower in a grass spikelet.

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

An intermediate conclusion in a proof, marking a point en route to a conclusion.

Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has 3 meanings:

Meaning #1: a subsidiary proposition that is assumed to be true in order to prove another proposition

Meaning #2: the lower and stouter of the two glumes immediately enclosing the floret in most Gramineae
  Synonym: flowering glume

Meaning #3: the head of an annotation or gloss

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