1. A subsidiary proposition that is assumed to be true in order to prove another proposition
   "The mathematician used several lemmas to build up to the proof of the main theorem"
    
2. The heading that indicates the subject of an annotation or a literary composition or a dictionary entry
   "The lemma for 'running' in a dictionary might be 'run'"
    
3. The lower and stouter of the two glumes immediately enclosing the floret in most Gramineae
   "The lemma plays a crucial role in grass reproduction";
   - flowering glume

Derived forms: lemmas, lemmata

Type of: glume, head, header, heading, proposition

Encyclopedia: Lemma, Daniel