Seem

Seem
Seem Seem (s[=e]m), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Seemed} (s[=e]md); p. pr. & vb. n. {Seeming}.] [OE. semen to seem, to become, befit, AS. s[=e]man to satisfy, pacify; akin to Icel. s[ae]ma to honor, to bear with, conform to, s[ae]mr becoming, fit, s[=o]ma to beseem, to befit, sama to beseem, semja to arrange, settle, put right, Goth. samjan to please, and to E. same. The sense is probably due to the adj. seemly. [root]191. See {Same}, a., and cf. {Seemly}.] To appear, or to appear to be; to have a show or semblance; to present an appearance; to look; to strike one's apprehension or fancy as being; to be taken as. ``It now seemed probable.'' --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

Thou picture of what thou seem'st. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

All seemed well pleased; all seemed, but were not all. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death. --Prov. xiv. 12. [1913 Webster]

{It seems}, it appears; it is understood as true; it is said. [1913 Webster]

A prince of Italy, it seems, entertained his mistress on a great lake. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To appear; look.

Usage: {Seem}, {Appear}. To appear has reference to a thing's being presented to our view; as, the sun appears; to seem is connected with the idea of semblance, and usually implies an inference of our mind as to the probability of a thing's being so; as, a storm seems to be coming. ``The story appears to be true,'' means that the facts, as presented, go to show its truth; ``the story seems to be true,'' means that it has the semblance of being so, and we infer that it is true. ``His first and principal care being to appear unto his people such as he would have them be, and to be such as he appeared.'' --Sir P. Sidney. [1913 Webster]

Ham. Ay, madam, it is common. Queen. If it be, Why seems it so particular with thee? Ham. Seems, madam! Nay, it is; I know not ``seems.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • seem — W1S1 [si:m] v [linking verb, not in progressive] [Date: 1100 1200; : Old Norse; Origin: sœma to be appropriate to , from sœmr appropriate ] 1.) to appear to exist or be true, or to have a particular quality ▪ Ann didn t seem very sure. ▪ It seems …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • seem — [ sim ] verb intransitive never progressive *** 1. ) to appear to be something or appear to have a particular quality: John seems nice. seem (to be) someone/something: Susan seems a very sensible person. seem happy/genuine/relaxed etc. to someone …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • seem´er — seem «seem», intransitive verb. 1. to look like; appear to be: »This apple seemed good but was rotten inside. Does this room seem hot to you? He seemed a very old man. He seemed very strong for his age. 2. to appear to oneself: »I still seem to… …   Useful english dictionary

  • seem — /seem/, v.i. 1. to appear to be, feel, do, etc.: She seems better this morning. 2. to appear to one s own senses, mind, observation, judgment, etc.: It seems to me that someone is calling. 3. to appear to exist: There seems no need to go now. 4.… …   Universalium

  • seem — seem, look, appear can mean to be as stated in one s view or judgment, but not necessarily in fact Often they are used interchangeably with apparently no difference in meaning {he seems tired} {the students look eager} {the orchestra appeared… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • seem — [sēm] vi. [ME semen, prob. < ON sœma, to conform to (akin to OE seman, to bring to agreement) < IE base * sem > SAME] 1. a) to appear to be; have the look of being [to seem happy] b) to appear; give the impression: usually followed by an …   English World dictionary

  • Seem — Seem, v. t. To befit; to beseem. [Obs.] Spenser. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • seem — ► VERB 1) give the impression of being. 2) (cannot seem to do) appear to be unable to do, despite having tried. ORIGIN originally also in the sense «be appropriate»: from an Old Norse word meaning fitting …   English terms dictionary

  • seem|ly — «SEEM lee», adjective, li|er, li|est, adverb. –adj. 1. fitting or becoming with respect to good taste; suitable; proper: »Some old people do not consider modern dances seemly. SYNONYM(S) …   Useful english dictionary

  • Seem. — Seem., bei Pflanzennamen Abkürzung für B. Seemann (s. d.) …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

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