beseem

[ bih-seem ]
See synonyms for: beseembeseeming on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to be fit for or worthy of; become: conduct that beseems a gentleman.

verb (used without object)
  1. to be suitable or fitting.

Origin of beseem

1
First recorded in 1175–1225, beseem is from the Middle English word bisemen.See be-, seem

Other words from beseem

  • un·be·seem·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use beseem in a sentence

  • Tressilian appeared, and made a low and beseeming reference.

    Kenilworth | Sir Walter Scott
  • Mrs. Polly watched them with beseeming awe and deference, but it was a great trial to her, and she grew very nervous over it.

    The Pot of Gold | Mary E. Wilkins
  • Hearing this speech, I seemed to behold myself swinging by a tow from a tree branch, a death not beseeming one of gentle blood.

    A Monk of Fife | Andrew Lang
  • For are not these things beseeming and answerable to the doctrine of Socrates?

  • Yea, peace is too little; exceeding joy is the portion, and most beseeming condition of the upright.

British Dictionary definitions for beseem

beseem

/ (bɪˈsiːm) /


verb
  1. archaic to be suitable for; befit

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012