lemma

• Sustantivo con varios significados: en lógica y matemáticas, una proposición auxiliar que se demuestra para probar otra; en botánica, la escama inferior de las dos que rodean la flor de una gramínea; en lexicografía, la palabra que encabeza una entrada de diccionario o el lema de una anotación.

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.

   lema auxiliar

   • 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.

   Sinónimosassumptionpostulatepremisesupposition

2. Botanical structureC2formalscientific

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

   Lema (estructura botánica)

   • 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.

   lema (en lexicografía)

   • 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.

   Sinónimoscitation formhead