Thēme, n.
n. [Fr. thème, Sp., Pg., & It. tema, Pr. & Lat. thema, Gr. θέμα, from τιθέναι, to set, place.]
Sense 1. A subject or topic on which a person writes or speaks.
When a soldier was the theme, my name Was not far off. Shak.
Sense 2. A short dissertation composed by a student, usually upon some assigned topic.
Sense 3. (Gram.) A radical verb, or the verb in its primary, absolute state, not modified by inflections, as the infinitive mode in English.
Sense 4. (Mus.) The subject of a composition.
Sense 5. That by means of which a thing is done; means; instrument. [Obs.]