theme etymology

Etymology

The word "theme" derives from the Greek word "thema" (θέμα), which means "subject, topic, proposition." It entered English through French in the 14th century.

Meaning

In literary and artistic contexts, a theme is a central idea, subject, or message that unifies and gives meaning to a work. It is an underlying concept that the author or artist explores through the plot, characters, setting, or other elements.

In other fields, "theme" can refer to a variety of concepts:

• In music, a theme is a musical idea or motif that recurs throughout a composition.
• In computer science, a "theme" is a set of graphical elements and settings that can be applied to a user interface to change its appearance.
• In organizational and management theories, a "theme" can refer to a specific focus or topic that a group or project revolves around.

Origin

The concept of a theme has been used in literature and art throughout history. In ancient Greek drama, for example, the "thema" was the central plot or subject matter of the play. Ancient Greek philosophers also employed the term to refer to the main topic or proposition of a philosophical discussion.

The concept of theme was further developed in Western literature by Roman and medieval writers. During the Renaissance, literary critics began to use the term to identify and analyze the central ideas in literary works. By the 19th century, the concept of theme had become an essential element in literary and artistic analysis.

theme relate terms

• amethyst

  Etymology Greek ἀμέθυστος amethystos meaning not drunk Meaning and Or

• asthma

  Etymology of Asthma Greek asthma meaning panting shortness of breath Meaning o

• pythoness

• orthography

  Etymology ortho Greek right correct graphe Greek writing Meaning Orth

• theme

  Etymology The word theme derives from the Greek word thema θέμα which means s

• throne

  Etymology Origin Middle English throne from Old French trone from Latin thronus from

• Thames

  Etymology The name Thames derives from the Proto Celtic word Tamēsa meaning dark or

• author

  Etymology The word author comes from the Latin word auctor which means one who incr

• topaz

  Etymology The word topaz comes from the Greek word topazios which was derived from

• Thomas

  Etymology Greek Δίδυμος Didymos meaning twin Meaning Twin Origin

• thyme

  Etymology The word thyme comes from the Middle English thym which in turn comes from

• thematic

  Thematic Etymology Thematic etymology is a branch of etymology that focuses on the identi

• theme

  Etymology The word theme derives from the Greek word thema θέμα which means s

• root

  Etymology The word root derives from the Old English word rōt which is of Germanic

• base

  Etymology Greek basis a foundation a base Meaning A fundamental or supporting

• stem

  Etymology Stem comes from the Old English word stemn meaning main trunk of a tree o

• topic

  Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words as well as their meaning and fo

• counterpoint

  Etymology Counter Latin against opposite to Point Latin a point a note Meaning

• commonplace

  Etymology Common from the Old French communis meaning shared by all or general

• tune

  Etymology Middle English ton toune from Anglo Norman French tune toune from Old Fr

• render

  Etymology Old French rendre Late Latin reddere Proto Indo European red Meaning

• head

  Etymology The word head comes from the Old English word heafod which itself derives