Common Lexeme

lemma

Keywords: science, technology

Pronunciation (IPA): 'lem.ma 
Part of Speech: term noun verb 
Class: pali 
Forms: lemma, lemmas 
Glosses: element, rudiment, piece, part, elementary, rudimentary, base, basic, basically 

Description:

The term 'lemma' is another example of an early modern period AXZ scientific coining that made the jump to regular speech. It's another term with general applicability that was added in order to form a building block to express more complex ideas, appropriate in this case. It refers to something that is basic and rudimentary, anything from a substance to a component of something.

The actual origin of the coining is puzzling. It appears to be a borrowing from English rather than a new coining, and might come from the word 'element', which would make more sense, but it could also come from the word 'lemma', which looks the same and refers to that which is accepted in an argument. I was unable to find a record to definitively explain the origin.

Noun:

In a noun context,'lemma' refers to an element or a rudiment. This could be a component of something, a substance like a chemical element, the idea of this word in science is that it itself is a basic building block for building out terms. In popular usage, 'lemma' is more likely to be used as a piece or part, in a context where you're thinking about the normal operation of something as opposed to taking it apart or breaking it.

Verb:

'Lemma' is less-used in a verbal context, but can be used as a pali verb meaning 'to be basic', 'to be rudimentary'.

Modifier:

The modifier form 'lemmas' means elementary, rudimentary or basic.

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