1. like θέμις, that which is laid down and established, a law, ordinance , Lat. institutum, λέκτροιο θεσμὸν ἵκοντο, i. e. they fulfilled the established law of wedlock, (Odyssey by Homer); so in (Herdotus Historicus) and attic 2. at Athens, Draco's laws were called θεσμοί, because each began with the word θεσμός (compare θεσμοθέτης); while (Solon Lyricus)'s laws were named νόμοι. 3. an institution, ordinance , as the court of Areopagus, (Aeschulus Tragicus); of the great games, (Pindar) (ML)