seem

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Verb 1.3.1 Quotations 1.3.2 Usage notes 1.3.3 Derived terms 1.3.4 Translations 1.4 Anagrams

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Middle English semen "to seem, befit, be becoming" from Old Norse sœma (“‘to conform to, beseem, befit’”) (> Danish sømme (“‘beseem’”)) from sœmr (“‘fitting, seemly’”) from Proto-Germanic *sōm-, akin to Old Norse sōmi (“‘honour’”) ( > archaic Danish somme (“‘decent comportment’”)), Old English sēman (“‘to reconcile, bring an agreement’”), Old English sōm (“‘agreement’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK & US) IPA: /siːm/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -iːm
• Homophones: seam

[edit] Verb

to seem (third-person singular simple present seems, present participle seeming, simple past and past participle seemed)

1. (copulative) To appear; to look outwardly; to be perceived as.

   He seems to be ill.

   Her eyes seem blue.

[edit] Quotations

• 1813 (14th C.): Dante Alighieri, The Vision of Hell as translated by The Rev. H. F. Cary.

  He, from his face removing the gross air,
  Oft his left hand forth stretch'd, and seem'd alone
  By that annoyance wearied.

[edit] Usage notes

• This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive. See Appendix:English catenative verbs

[edit] Derived terms

• meseems
• seeming
• seemingly

[edit] Translations

[edit] Anagrams

• Esme, Esmé
• seme
• smee