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verb (used without object)
1.
to abound or swarm; be prolific or fertile (usually followed by with ).
2.
Obsolete. to be or become pregnant; bring forth young.
verb (used with object)
3.
Obsolete. to produce (offspring).
Origin:
before 900; Middle English temen, Old English tēman, tīeman to produce (offspring), derivative of tēam team
before 900; Middle English temen, Old English tēman, tīeman to produce (offspring), derivative of tēam team
Related forms
teem·er, noun
Synonyms
1. overflow, brim, overrun, bristle.
1. overflow, brim, overrun, bristle.
00:10
Teem
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is kibitz. Does it mean:
| to bark; yelp. |
| chat, to converse |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
to empty or pour out; discharge.
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English temen < Old Norse tæma to empty, derivative of tōmr empty, cognate with Old English tōm free from
1250–1300; Middle English temen < Old Norse tæma to empty, derivative of tōmr empty, cognate with Old English tōm free from
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To teem
Collins
World English Dictionary
teem1 (tiːm) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb (usually foll by with) | |
| 1. | to be prolific or abundant (in); abound (in) |
| 2. | obsolete to bring forth (young) |
| [Old English tēman to produce offspring; related to West Saxon tīeman; see | |
| teem2 (tiːm) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | (intr; |
| 2. | (tr) to pour or empty out |
| [C15 temen to empty, from Old Norse tœma; related to Old English tōm, Old High German zuomīg empty] | |
| 'teemer2 | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
teem
"abound, swarm," O.E. teman (Mercian), tieman (W.Saxon) "give birth to, produce," from P.Gmc. *taumijanan, from PIE *deuk- "to lead" (see duke). Related to team in its now-obsolete O.E. sense of "family, brood of young animals." The meaning "be fertile,
abound, swarm" is first recorded 1593; teeming in this sense is from 1715.
teem
"to flow copiously," c.1300, from O.N. toema "to empty," from tomr "empty," cognate with O.E. tom "empty." The original notion is of "to empty a vessel," thus "to pour out."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
Its shallow waters teem with microscopic animal life, and plant growth is profuse both above and below the water's surface.
The corals teem with colorful tropical fish, such as surgeonfish, sergeant majors and the coral-munching parrotfish.
For one thing, the streets teem with furniture-filled rental vans.
Inside the courtyard of the four-story building, the exterior corridors teem with people.
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