lemma

• Nom avec plusieurs sens : en logique et en mathématiques, proposition auxiliaire utilisée pour démontrer un autre résultat ; en botanique, écaille inférieure des deux qui entourent la fleur d'une graminée ; en lexicographie, mot vedette ou entrée d'un article de dictionnaire.

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.

   Lemme (auxiliaire de démonstration)

   • 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.

   Synonymesassumptionpostulatepremisesupposition

2. Botanical structureC2formalscientific

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

   Lemme (botanique)

   • 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.

   entrée de dictionnaire

   • 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.

   Synonymescitation formhead