STEMMA Meaning and
Definition
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Stemma is a term primarily used in the field of textual criticism and paleography to refer to a genealogical tree or diagram that represents the relationship between different manuscript copies of a particular work. It is a visual representation of the textual tradition of a manuscript or a group of manuscripts. Stemmata are used to study the evolution and transmission of texts and to determine the relationships and interdependencies among different versions or editions of a work.
The stemma generally consists of a series of branches and nodes that connect the manuscripts, depicting the descent and copying history of the text. It shows the common ancestry and the divergence of different manuscript copies over time. Each node represents a hypothetical lost copy or an extant manuscript, and the branches symbolize the links between them. The stemma is created by comparing textual variants, such as differences in wording or spelling, found in the manuscripts.
Stemmata provide valuable insights into the textual history of a work, allowing scholars to trace the development and changes in the text as it was copied and transmitted through different generations of scribes. They help in establishing the reliability and authenticity of different manuscript versions and assist in determining the original or most accurate form of the text. Stemmata are also utilized to reconstruct the archetype, or the earliest known version, of a work, by tracing back to the common ancestor of multiple manuscript copies.
Common Misspellings for STEMMA
Etymology of STEMMA
The word "stemma" has its roots in the Latin language. It comes from the Latin noun "stemma", which means a tree, particularly a vine or pedigree. The term was originally used in the context of botany to refer to the stem or trunk of a plant, but it later evolved to include the meaning of a family tree or genealogical diagram. In modern usage, "stemma" is predominantly used in the field of genealogy to represent graphical representations of family lineage.
Similar spelling words for STEMMA
- stone,
- stamm,
- stymy,
- stemm,
- sthene,
- STAM,
- Stine,
- stene,
- stymie,
- STANO,
- steam,
- stamey,
- stain,
- stheno,
- Steen,
- stoma,
- stm,
- Stan,
- stem.
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