lemma
ătis, n.
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, 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.