lemma1

[lem-uh] /ˈlɛm ə/
noun, plural lemmas, lemmata
[lem-uh-tuh] /ˈlɛm ə tə/ (Show IPA)
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.
Origin
1560-70; < Latin: theme, title, epigram < Greek lêmma something received, premise, akin to lambánein to take, receive, take for granted

lemma2

[lem-uh] /ˈlɛm ə/
noun, plural lemmas. Botany
1.
a bract in a grass spikelet just below the pistil and stamens.
Origin
1745-55; < Greek lémma shell, husk, akin to lépein to peel
Examples from the web for lemma
  • Di-lemma is a double lemma, or two-edged sword which strikes either way.
  • The lowest lemma is smooth toward the base and slightly rough toward the tip.
  • lemma narrow, gradually tapering to a point and awned from a bifid apex.
  • This lemma is sometimes called the product rule for probabilities.
British Dictionary definitions for lemma

lemma1

/ˈlɛmə/
noun (pl) -mas, -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
Word Origin
C16 (meaning: proposition), C17 (meaning: title, theme): via Latin from Greek: premise, from lambanein to take (for granted)

lemma2

/ˈlɛmə/
noun (pl) -mas, -mata (-mətə)
1.
the outer of two bracts surrounding each floret in a grass spikelet Compare palea
Word Origin
C19: from Greek: rind, from lepein to peel
Word Origin and History for lemma
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).

lemma in Science
lemma
  (lěm'ə)   
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 in Technology

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