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seeming

 - 5 dictionary results

seem⋅ing

[see-ming]
–adjective
1. apparent; appearing, whether truly or falsely, to be as specified: a seeming advantage.
–noun
2. appearance, esp. outward or deceptive appearance.

Origin:
1300–50; ME semynge; see seem, -ing 2 , -ing 1


seem⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
seem⋅ing⋅ness, noun


1. ostensible, external, superficial. 2. semblance, face, pretense.

seem

[seem]
–verb (used without object)
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. to appear to be true, probable, or evident: It seems likely to rain.
5. to give the outward appearance of being or to pretend to be: He only seems friendly because he wants you to like him.

Origin:
1150–1200; ME seme < ON sœma to befit, beseem, deriv. of sœmr fitting, seemly; akin to sōmi honor


4. Seem, appear, look refer to an outward aspect that may or may not be contrary to reality. Seem is applied to something that has an aspect of truth and probability: It seems warmer today. Appear suggests the giving of an impression that may be superficial or illusory: The house appears to be deserted. Look more vividly suggests the use of the eye (literally or figuratively) or the aspect as perceived by the eye: She looked very much frightened.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To seeming
seem   (sēm)   
intr.v.   seemed, seem·ing, seems
  1. To give the impression of being; appear: The child seems healthy, but the doctor is concerned.

  2. To appear to one's own opinion or mind: I can't seem to get the story straight.

  3. To appear to be true, probable, or evident: It seems you object to the plan. It seems like rain. He seems to have worked in sales for several years.

  4. To appear to exist: There seems no reason to postpone it.


[Middle English semen, from Old Norse sɶma, to conform to, from sɶmr, fitting; see sem-1 in Indo-European roots.]
Synonyms: These verbs mean to present the appearance of being: seems angry; appears skeptical; looks happy.
seem·ing   (sē'mĭng)   
adj.  Apparent; ostensible.
n.  Outward appearance; semblance.
seem'ing·ly adv., seem'ing·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

seem 
c.1200, from O.N. soema "to befit, conform to," and soemr "fitting, seemly," from P.Gmc. *som- (cf. O.E. som "agreement, reconciliation," seman "to conciliate"), related to P.Gmc. *samon (see same).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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