Pl. themata. [mod.L. thema, a. Gr. θέμα THEME.]
† 1. The theme or subject of a declamation or discourse; a position to be maintained or demonstrated; a thesis. Obs.
1531. Elyot, Gov., I. xiv. A case is appoynted to be moted by certayne yonge men, contaynyng some doubtefull controuersie, which is in stede of the heed of a declamation called thema.
a. 1734. North, Exam., I. i. § 8. (1740), 18. His grand Thema or Historical Position is, That King Charles II. was a concealed Papist. Ibid., ii. § 47. 53. Another of the Author’s Themata or Positions.
2. The stem-form of a word; = THEME 5.
1615. Bedwell, Arab. Trudg., Alkoran, the thema is not Karana,… as they would make vs beleeue: but Kara, which signifieth, to reade.
1883. Athenæum, 6 Jan., 15/2. Scholars are still divided as to what thema or base to refer certain forms [of Icelandic nouns].
3. Mus. = THEME 4.
1801. Busby, Dict. Mus.
1871. Graeme, Beethoven, ii. (1876), 27. Beethoven … requested a thema for an improvisation.
4. A dissertation or thesis submitted for a degree; cf. THEME 3.
1888. Athenæum, 28 July, 129/3. ‘The Conflict of East and West in Egypt’ … appears to be an enlargement of a thema for the doctorate of Columbia College.
