■ noun
1》 the subject of a talk, text, exhibition, etc.; a topic.
↘ Linguistics the first major constituent of a clause, indicating the subject matter. Contrasted with rheme .
2》 a recurring or pervading idea in a work of art or literature.
↘ Music a prominent or frequently recurring melody or group of notes in a composition.
↘[as modifier ] (of music) frequently recurring in or accompanying the beginning and end of a film, play, etc.
3》 [as modifier ] denoting a setting given to a restaurant, pub, or leisure venue, intended to evoke a particular country, historical period, etc.: an Irish ~ pub.
4》 US a school essay written on a particular subject.
5》 Linguistics the stem of a noun or verb.
6》 historical any of the twenty-nine provinces in the Byzantine empire.
■ verb [often as adjective ~d ] give a particular setting or ~ to.
Origin
ME: via OFr. from L. thema , from Gk, lit. 'proposition'; related to tithenai 'to set or place'.