theme (thēm)
n.

1. A topic of discourse or discussion. See synonyms at subject.
2. A subject of artistic representation.
3. An implicit or recurrent idea; a motif: a theme of powerlessness that runs through the diary; a party with a tropical island theme.
4. A short composition assigned to a student as a writing exercise.
5. Music. The principal melodic phrase in a composition, especially a melody forming the basis of a set of variations.
6. Linguistics. A stem.
7. Linguistics. See topic (sense 4).

tr.v., themed, them·ing, themes.
Usage Problem. To provide with a particular topic or motif. See Usage Note at themed.

[Middle English teme, theme, from Old French tesme, from Latin thema, from Greek.]

themeless theme'less adj.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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