English
lema
Lema comes from Ancient Greek λήμη ‘substance that gathers in the corner of the eye’.
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEλήμηlḗmē‘substance that gathers in the corner of the eye’
- Englishtodaylema
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEλήμηlḗmē‘substance that gathers in the corner of the eye’
- Englishtodaylema
The story
First coined 1789, from Ancient Greek λήμη (lḗmē, “substance that gathers in the corner of the eye; rheum”).
Every English word from Ancient Greek λήμη
Today it means
noun The secretion of the tarsal glands of the eye.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Ancient Greek λήμη / lema