Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Theme
Theme
,Noun.
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
Was not far off.
theme
, my nameWas not far off.
Shakespeare
2.
Discourse on a certain subject.
Then ran repentance and rehearsed his
theme
. Piers Plowman.
It was the subject of my
theme
. Shakespeare
3.
A composition or essay required of a pupil.
Locke.
4.
(Gram.)
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.)
The leading subject of a composition or a movement.
Webster 1828 Edition
Theme
THEME
,Noun.
1.
A subject or topic on which a person writes or speaks. The preacher takes a text for the theme of his discourse. When a soldier was the theme, my name
Was not far off.
2.
A short dissertation composed by a student.3.
In grammar, a radical verb, or the verb in its primary absolute sense, not modified by inflections; as the infinitive mode in English. But a large portion of the words called themes in Greek, are not the radical words, but are themselves derivative forms of the verb. The fact is the same in other languages.4.
In music, a series of notes selected as the text or subject of a new composition.