Talk:Lemma (mathematics)

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the term lemma is apparently also used in linguistics (meaning a word item in the mental lexicon?) (80.109.255.5 17:40, 16 Apr 2005 (UTC))

I think the Greek word you are referring to is "λείμμα". minatsu

Could you tell us why you believe so? Both λεμμα and λείμμα exist. -- Jitse Niesen (talk) 13:43, 12 December 2005 (UTC)
I guess we were both wrong. I did a little bit of research and found out that the correct word is "λήμμα" (which you already have fixed). Yet I have to verify the original root of the word with some of my scholar friends. I can assure you that the current word used in Greek is "λήμμα" (which I guess you already know). Nevertheless here is a good search tool for you to use in the future for Greek words:

http://www.in.gr/dictionary/lookup.asp?Word=%EB%DE%EC%EC%E1&TranslateButton2=%CC%E5%F4%DC%F6%F1%E1%F3%E7

Regards

minatsu

Another source says Greek "lemma" means shell. I recall having heard it means horn (as in dilemma: two horns). Does it really mean gift/bribe? --LA2 16:47, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Lemma vs. theorem

"There is no inherent distinction between a lemma and a theorem."

That's true in a formal sense, but in practice the two terms are used with significantly different semantics. One is rarely in doubt about which label to apply to a new result. Thoughts? Arvindn 01:39, 5 April 2006 (UTC)