Zorn's lemma

noun
\ ˈzȯrnz- How to pronounce Zorn's lemma (audio) , ˈtsȯrnz- How to pronounce Zorn's lemma (audio) \

Definition of Zorn's lemma

: a lemma in set theory: if a set S is partially ordered and if each subset for which every pair of elements is related by exactly one of the relationships "less than," "equal to," or "greater than" has an upper bound in S, then S contains at least one element for which there is no greater element in S — compare axiom of choice

First Known Use of Zorn's lemma

circa 1950, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for Zorn's lemma

Max August Zorn †1993 German mathematician

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