[lem.ma] n, pl lemmas or lem.ma.ta [L, fr. Gk lemma thing taken, assumption, fr. lambanein to take--more at latch] (1570) 1: an auxiliary proposition used in the demonstration of another proposition
2: the argument or theme of a composition prefixed as a title or introduction; also: the heading or theme of a comment or note on a text
3: a glossed word or phrase
[2]lemma n [Gk, husk, fr. lepein to peel--more at leper] (1906): the lower of the two bracts enclosing the flower in the spikelet of grasses