LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum
noun · neuterthird declension

lēmma

lēmma n (genitive lēmmatis)
Classical[ˈɫeːm.ma]Ecclesiastical[ˈlɛm.ma]

Meaning

  1. literallyA subject for consideration or explanation, a theme, matter, subject, contents.
  2. the title of an epigram (because it indicates the subject)
  3. the epigram itself
  4. story, tale
  5. the assumption or lemma of a syllogism

Declension

declension
formsingularplural
nominativelēmmalēmmata
genitivelēmmatislēmmatum
dativelēmmatīlēmmatibus
accusativelēmmalēmmata
ablativelēmmatelēmmatibus
vocativelēmmalēmmata

lemma, ătis, n., = λῆμμα,
I. a subject for consideration or explanation, a theme, matter, subject, contents (not ante-Aug.; in Cic. only written as Greek).
I. Lit.: lemma sibi sumpsit, quod ego interdum versibus ludo, Plin. Ep. 4, 27, 3.—
II. Transf.
A. The title of an epigram, because it indicates the subject: lemmata si quaeris, cur sint ascripta, docebo: Ut si malueris lemmata sola legas, Mart. 14, 2, 1; Aus. Parent. praef.—
B. The epigram itself: si mihi ex hoc ipso lemmate secundus versus occurrerit, Plin. Ep. 4, 27, 3: consumpta est uno si lemmate pagina, transis, Mart. 10, 59, 1.—
C. A story, tale: nutricis lemmata, nursery-tales, Aus. Ep. 16, 90.—
D. The assumption or lemma of a syllogism: est vitium insidiosum et sub falsa lemmatis specie latens, Gell. 9, 16, 7; v. sumptio.

Origins

From Ancient Greek λῆμμᾰ (lêmmă, “premise, assumption”), from λᾰμβᾰ́νω (lămbắnō, “to take”).

Descendants
  • Catalanlema
  • Englishlemma
  • Frenchlemme
  • GermanLemma
  • Italianlemma
  • Spanishlema
  • Dutchlemma

Quick answers

What does lēmma mean in Latin?
lēmma, a noun, means “A subject for consideration or explanation, a theme, matter, subject, contents.; the title of an epigram (because it indicates the subject); the epigram itself”.
What is the genitive of lēmma?
The genitive singular is lēmmatis. lēmma is neuter, third declension.
How do you pronounce lēmma?
In classical Latin, [ˈɫeːm.ma]; in ecclesiastical (church) Latin, [ˈlɛm.ma].