lemma

• Substantiv mit mehreren Bedeutungen: in Logik und Mathematik ein Hilfssatz, der zum Beweis eines anderen Satzes verwendet wird; in der Botanik die untere der beiden Hüllspelzen, die die Blüte eines Grases umgeben; in der Lexikografie das Stichwort oder der Gegenstand eines Wörterbuchartikels oder einer Annotation.

A noun with multiple meanings: in logic and mathematics, it refers to a subsidiary proposition used to prove another; in botany, it is the lower of the two glumes enclosing a grass floret; and in lexicography, it denotes the headword or subject of a dictionary entry or annotation.

1. Auxiliary propositionC1formalscientific

   A statement that is taken as true to help prove a larger or more important statement.

   Hilfssatz

   • The mathematician proved a lemma before tackling the main theorem.
   • This lemma is essential for understanding the subsequent proof.
   • The textbook presented several lemmas to support the final argument.

   Synonymeassumptionpostulatepremisesupposition

2. Botanical structureC2formalscientific

   The lower and thicker of the two bracts that surround the floret in grasses.

   Botanische Struktur

   • The lemma of the wheat plant is crucial for seed development.
   • Botanists examined the lemma to classify the grass species.
   • The lemma and palea together protect the floret.

3. Dictionary entry headingB2formal

   The word or phrase that is being defined or explained in a dictionary, glossary, or annotation.

   Stichwort

   • The lemma 'run' has many definitions in the dictionary.
   • Each lemma in the glossary is followed by a brief explanation.
   • The editor carefully chose the lemmas for the new dictionary.

   Synonymecitation formhead