Category:Theme

Theme, n. Etym: [oe. teme, of. teme, f. thème, l. thema, gr. Do, and Cf. Thesis.]

1. A subject or topic on which a person writes or speaks; a Proposition for discussion or argument; a text. My theme is alway one and ever was. Chaucer. And when a soldier was the theme, my name was not far off. Shak.

2. Discourse on a certain subject. Then ran repentance and rehearsed his theme. Piers plowman. It was the subject of my theme. Shak.

3. A composition or essay required of a pupil. Locke.

4. (gram.)

Defn: a noun or verb, not modified by inflections; also, that part of A noun or verb which remains unchanged (except by euphonic Variations) in declension or conjugation; stem.

5. That by means of which a thing is done; means; instrument. [obs.] Swift.

6. (mus.)

Defn: the leading subject of a composition or a movement.