Lemma (Noun)
Meaning 1
The lower and stouter of the two glumes immediately enclosing the floret in most Gramineae.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
A subsidiary proposition that is assumed to be true in order to prove another proposition.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- In mathematical proofs, lemmas are used to establish intermediate results that can be used to prove a more significant theorem.
- The mathematician's lemma was instrumental in demonstrating the validity of the conjecture, although it had not been formally proven.
- A lemma can be a useful tool for simplifying a complex proof by breaking it down into more manageable components.
- In his paper, the author introduced a novel lemma that allowed him to bypass a long-standing obstacle in the field.
- The researcher's attempt to prove the theorem relied heavily on a lemma that had been previously established by another mathematician.
Meaning 3
The heading that indicates the subject of an annotation or a literary composition or a dictionary entry.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The dictionary entry for "lemma" itself is a good example of a lemma, as it provides a clear and concise definition of the term.
- In the annotated edition of the novel, each lemma provided a brief summary of the events that would unfold in the corresponding chapter.
- The lexicographer carefully crafted each lemma to ensure that it accurately reflected the nuances of the word's meaning.
- The lemma at the top of the page read "The American Revolution," and the accompanying text provided a detailed analysis of the historical event.
- In the index, the lemma "John Smith" was followed by a list of page numbers where the author's name appeared in the text.