I. ˈle-mə noun
( plural lemmas or lem·ma·ta -mə-tə)
Etymology: Latin, from Greek lēmma thing taken, assumption, from lambanein to take — more at latch
Date: 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
II. noun
Etymology: Greek, husk, from lepein to peel — more at leper
Date: 1906
: the lower of the two bracts enclosing the flower in the spikelet of grasses