Theme (?), n. [OE. teme, OF.
teme, F. thème, L. thema, Gr. ?, fr. ? to
set, place. See 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.) 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.