† queemn.
Obsolete.
Pleasure, satisfaction. Chiefly in to (a person's) queem: so as to be satisfactory; to a person's liking or satisfaction. to take to queem: to accept.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > [noun]
lustc888
lustfulnessa900
queemnesseOE
mirtheOE
estec1000
winOE
queemc1175
sweetness?c1225
solace1297
dutea1300
lustinga1300
joyingc1300
jollityc1330
lustiheadc1369
lustinessc1374
sweet1377
voluptyc1380
well-pleasinga1382
pleasancec1385
pleasurea1393
volupta1398
easementc1400
pleasingc1400
complacencec1436
pleasec1475
satisfaction1477
likancea1500
oblectation1508
beauty1523
aggradation1533
pleasurancec1540
joc1560
likement1577
contentment1587
beloving1589
gratification1598
savouriness1599
entertain1601
pleasedness1626
well-apaidness1633
well-pleasedness1633
pleasingness1649
complacency1652
adlubescence1656
enjoyment1665
volupe1669
musica1674
pleasantry1740
barrel of fun (laughs, etc.)1915
the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > [adverb]
sweetlyc900
queemlyOE
lustly971
winlyc1000
sootlya1125
to (a person's) queemc1175
lustilya1225
avenantlya1375
pleasinglya1398
queema1400
beinc1400
farrandlyc1400
pleasantlyc1400
pleasantlya1425
queemfullyc1425
thankfullyc1480
greablyc1500
dulcely1508
dulcea1525
pleasant1553
agreeably?1567
pleasurably1580
sugarly1587
flattering1597
sweet1597
attractively1640
well-pleasingly1645
welcomely1646
flatteringly1661
relishingly1677
satisfyingly1743
sweetsome1799
smilingly1806
dulcetly1810
gratifyingly1822
honeyedly1832
enjoyably1877
suavely1883
congenially1884
a fair treat1884
the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > [noun]
queemnesseOE
queemc1175
suffisancec1374
pleasingc1400
complacencec1436
resting?a1475
satisfaction1477
happinessa1500
thankfulness1500
contention1516
contentationa1533
contenting1541
satisfiedness1571
content1578
contentedness1581
appeasement1586
contentment1597
heart's content1600
acquiescence1612
pleasedness1626
well-apaidness1633
well-pleasedness1633
complacency1643
acquiescency1646
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 1661 Nohht ne maȝȝ ben don. All mahhtiȝ godd to cweme But iff itt be wiþþ witt. & skill. & luffsummlike forþedd.
a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 23 Ne þu ne miȝt beon wel iscrifen god almihti to cweme.
c1330 in T. Wright Polit. Songs Eng. (1839) 325 No man may wel serue tweie lordes to queme.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) 1064 Godd toke to queme [a1400 Vesp. tok to quen; a1400 Trin. Cambr. payed was of] his sacrefis.
a1450 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Lamb.) (1887) i. 2018 Of alle scheo was most til his queme.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1897–1973) 58 Thou shall..serue to wheme God with all thi hart.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
queemadj.adv.
/kwiːm/, U.S. /kwim/α. late Old English cueme, early Middle English cweme, Middle English quem, Middle English queme, Middle English quime (perhaps transmission error), Middle English qwem, Middle English qweme, 1500s queeme; Scottish pre-1700 quem, pre-1700 queym, pre-1700 1700s 1900s– queme, pre-1700 1700s–1800s quim, 1800s– queem.
β. Chiefly northern late Middle English wheme, late Middle English wym, 1600s wheeme; English regional (chiefly northern) 1600s– wheam, 1600s– wheem, 1700s– whim, 1800s wheme, 1800s– weam, 1800s– weme, 1800s– wham (Cheshire), 1900s– weem, 1900s– wim.
Now rare.
A. adj.
1. †Fit, fitting, suitable (obsolete); convenient, handy; near at hand, close. Also with to or (in early use) dative of person. English regional (northern) in later use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > convenience > [adjective]
i-tasea1000
queemlOE
gainc1330
conablea1340
convenientc1374
covenablec1380
convenable1421
conveniable1432
comenablea1500
commodious1541
necessary1541
commode1549
commoditious1574
dexterous1605
commoditous1621
friendly1713
clever1757
convenience1961
the world > action or operation > inaction > quietness or tranquillity > [adjective] > specifically of people or animals
queemlOE
quietc1384
cosh1803
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective]
goodeOE
rightOE
queemlOE
belonglOE
behovingc1175
limplyc1200
tidefula1300
avenantc1300
mackc1330
worthy1340
hemea1350
convenientc1374
seemlya1375
shapelyc1374
ablea1382
cordant1382
meetc1385
accordable1386
accordinga1387
appurtenantc1386
pertinentc1390
accordanta1393
likea1393
setea1400
throa1400
agreeablec1425
habilec1425
suitly1426
competentc1430
suiting1431
fitc1440
proportionablec1443
justc1450
congruent?a1475
cordinga1475
congruec1475
afferant1480
belonging1483
cordable1485
hovable1508
attainanta1513
accommodate1525
agreeing1533
respondent1533
opportunate?1541
appropriate1544
commode1549
familiar1553
apt1563
pliant1565
liable1570
sortly1570
competible1586
sortable1586
fitty1589
accommodable1592
congruable1603
affining1606
feated1606
suity1607
reputable1611
suited1613
idoneousa1615
matchable1614
suitablea1616
congruous1631
fitten1642
responsal1647
appropriated1651
adapt1658
mack-like1672
squared1698
homogeneous1708
applicable1711
unforeign1718
fitted1736
congenial1738
assorted1790
accommodatable1874
OK1925
the world > relative properties > order > [adjective] > tidy
queemc1450
trig1513
trimc1521
neat1594
polite1602
terse1602
unlittered1612
ship-shape1644
snod1717
tight1720
redd1753
(as) neat (also clean) as a (new) pin1769
mack1825
tidy1828
slick1833
ship-shapely1843
trimly1858
taut1870
lOE Glosses to Distichs of Cato (Rawl. G.57) in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen (1906) 117 24 Aptam : cueme.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 8734 Sai me nu quat yow thinc queme.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 8809 Þe tre was als mete and quem, Als animan þar-to cuth deme.
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 5078 (MED) He leuys all þe march-gats I neuend ȝow before And nymmes a-nothire on þe north..Þat to þe marche of Messedone was him mast qweme.
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Eiii/1 Queeme, æquus, compar.
1673 J. Ray N. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 52 Wheam, wheem, It lies wheem for me.
a1728 W. Kennett MS Coll. Provinc. Words in Eng. Dial. Dict. (1903) VI. 447/2 Wheem [convenient, handy, near].
1812 T. Wilkinson Death of Roger in Gilpin Poetry Cumberl. 206 How wheem to Matty's elbow draws his chair.
1819 ‘P. Bobbin’ Sequel to Lancs. Dial. 18 I coom to o' little heawse, ut stood very wheem by th' rode side.
1882 Lancash. Gloss. Wheem, handy, convenient.
1901 F. E. Taylor Folk-speech S. Lancs. at Weem It's quite weem at hand.
2. † a. Pleasing, agreeable, acceptable (frequently to (also till) a person). Obsolete.In early use with dative of person.† b. Of pleasing appearance, attractive, fair. Obsolete.In quot. a1400: (of words) specious.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > [adjective]
winsomea900
sweetc900
likingeOE
i-quemec950
lieflyOE
winlyOE
hereOE
thankfulc1000
merryOE
queemc1175
beina1200
willea1200
leesomec1200
savouryc1225
estea1250
i-wilc1275
winc1275
welcomea1300
doucea1350
well-pleasingc1350
acceptablea1382
pleasablea1382
pleasanta1382
pleaseda1382
acceptedc1384
amiablec1384
well-likinga1387
queemfulc1390
flattering1393
pleasinga1398
well-queeminga1400
comelyc1400
farrandc1400
greable1401
goodlyc1405
amicable?a1425
placablec1429
amene1433
winful1438
listyc1440
dulcet1445
agreeablec1450
favourousc1485
sweetly?a1500
pleasureful?c1502
dulcea1513
grate1523
prettya1529
plausible1541
jolly1549
dulcoratec1550
toothsome1551
pleasurable1557
tickling1558
suavec1560
amenous1567
odoriferous?1575
perfumed1580
glada1586
tickle1593
pleasurous1595
favoursome1601
dulcean1606
gratifying1611
Hyblaean1614
gratulatea1616
arrident1616
solacefula1618
pleasantable1619
placid1628
contentsome1632
sapid1640
canny1643
gustful1647
peramene1657
pergrateful1657
tastefula1659
complacent1660
placentiousa1661
gratifactorya1665
bland1667
suavious1669
palatable1683
placent1683
complaisant1710
nice1747
tasty1796
sweetsome1799
titbit1820
connate1836
cunning1843
mooi1850
gemütlich1852
sympathique1859
congenial1878
sympathetic1900
sipid1908
onkus1910
sympathisch1911
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > semblance, outward show > [adjective] > of words, statements
queemc1175
gayc1425
plausible1565
glib1603
plausivea1616
specious1651
OE Vercelli Homilies (1992) xiv. 244 For þære bið sio ure onsægdnes Gode uncweme & unfenge..nymþe we sybbe & lufe be us tweonum healden.]
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 466 He wass..God prest. & godd full cweme.
a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 63 (MED) Þat me is quemere þat unbindeð þe bendes of wiðerfulnesse.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 393 (MED) Ich wille þat þo[u] suere..Þat þou mine children shalt..yeme, Þat hire kin be ful wel queme.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3764 Ðan sulde we brigte sen, Quilc gure sal god quemest ben.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 26559 To deme Quic and ded als him es queme.
a1450 Pater Noster Richard Ermyte (Westm. Sch. 3) (1967) 20 (MED) It wil hym wynne socour & grace & to God make hym queme.
c1480 (a1400) St. Katherine 29 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 443 Quha sacrifice mad till hym quem.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1897–1973) 2 (MED) This warke to me is queme.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective]
faireOE
comelyOE
winlyOE
goodlyOE
hendya1250
hendc1275
quaintc1300
seemlyc1305
tidya1325
avenant1340
honestc1384
sightya1387
properc1390
well beseena1393
queema1400
speciousa1400
featousc1400
parisantc1400
rekenc1400
well-favoureda1438
wellc1450
spectable?a1475
delicatec1480
jollya1500
bonny?a1513
snog1513
viewlyc1536
goodlikec1550
sightly1555
sightful1565
beholdinga1586
eyesome?1587
decent1600
vage1604
prospicuous1605
eyely1614
fashionable1630
well-looking1638
softa1643
fineish1647
well-looked1660
of a good (also ugly, etc.) look1700
likely-looked1709
sonsy1720
smiling1725
aspectable1731
smirkya1758
likely-looking1771
respectable1776
magnificent-looking1790
producible1792
presentable1800
good-looking1804
nice-looking1807
bonnyish1855
spick1882
eyeable1887
aegyo2007
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 28128 (MED) I..sayd my scryft wit wordes queme, þat my syn þe lesse suld seme.
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl 1179 (MED) Me payed ful ille to be outfleme..Fro alle þe syȝtez so quykez and queme.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 6203 The whelis full wheme, all of white aumber.
c. Scottish and English regional (northern). Protected from the wind, snug; (occasionally) neat, tidy. In later use also: calm, still; smooth.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > refuge or shelter > [adjective] > of the nature of a shelter > sheltered > from the weather
lee?a1500
quiet1596
shaded1635
queem1673
lew1674
1673 J. Ray N. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 52 Wheam, wheem, near, close, so as no wind can enter it.
1820 Marmaiden o' Clyde in Whitelaw Bk. Sc. Ballads (1874) 93/2 Whan the year grown auld brings winter cauld We flee til our ha's sae queem.
1824 J. Mactaggart Sc. Gallovidian Encycl. 7 At length his restless pulse mair queem grew.
1824 J. Mactaggart Sc. Gallovidian Encycl. 391 Dream, dream, that the Ocean's queem.
1879 P. H. Waddell Isaiah intil Scottis lvii. 7 On a heigh eneugh hill, yer bed ye made queem.
1883 T. Lees Easther's Gloss. Dial. Almondbury & Huddersfield Weam, weme,..tidy..‘A nice little weme packet’.
1894 R. O. Heslop Northumberland Words 780 Wheam, snug, sheltered, impervious to wind.
1983 W. L. Lorimer & R. L. C. Lorimer New Test. in Scots Luke iii. 1 Ilka gill an cleuch sal be made queem, an ilka knock an knowe become a laich.
3. Of a person.† a. Friendly or well-disposed (to); intimate (with). In later use only in quim and cosh. Obsolete. † c. Skilled, clever, sharp. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > [adjective]
holdc893
friendOE
fellowly?c1225
couthlyc1275
friendfulc1379
amiablea1382
commonc1384
queema1400
lovely1409
acquaintablea1425
familiarc1425
great1483
friendlikea1500
towardly15..
amicable1532
friendable1569
amical1580
graceful?1593
accostable1611
amicous1676
lovable1691
clever1758
unchilled1794
tosh1821
mately1822
a1400 (c1300) Northern Homily: Mary Magdalene (Coll. Phys.) in Middle Eng. Dict. at Quem(e That he be til vs quem that day.
a1500 (?c1450) Bone Florence (1976) 145 (MED) They lefte a burges feyre and wheme, All ther schyppys for to ȝeme.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 1763 To qwit claym all querels, & be qweme fryndes.
a1687 R. McWard Επαγωνισμοι (1723) 262 They shall fall-in, more than ever, into an intimacy with the Malignant-Enemies to the Work of God, and grow quim and cosh with them; while they are not only cold toward the truly Tender, but cruel against them.
1731 Plain Reasons Presbyterians Dissent. 53 Quim and cosh with them.
b. Scottish and English regional (northern). Quiet, demure (see also quot. 1873).
ΚΠ
c1480 (a1400) St. John Evangelist 324 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 118 Sa þu wil þis folk mak quem..I sal sone consent þar-to.
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) ix. iv. 60 Sowpyt in wyne and sleip baith man and syre At quyet lugyng ȝondyr at thar will; Queym [v.rr. queyne, quhen, quhene] silens haldis the large feildis still.
1869 J. P. Morris Gloss. Words & Phrases Furness 110 Yan wodn't think he hed it in him, he looks sooa weme.
1873 J. Harland Gloss. Words Swaledale Wheem, slyly quiet, mock-modest.
1883 T. Lees Easther's Gloss. Dial. Almondbury & Huddersfield Weam or Weme, quiet..‘A weme woman in a house is a jewel’.
1898 B. Kirkby Lakeland Words at Wheem He's a gay wheem carl.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adjective] > brisk or active
sprindeOE
whata1000
braga1350
prestc1390
yarea1400
stirringc1400
startingc1440
actious1441
actuala1470
activea1522
queemc1540
skeetc1540
lively1567
alive-like1582
pragmatical1590
spruce1590
agilious1599
brisk1599
sprightly?c1599
brisky1600
alives-like1601
alacrious1602
smart1602
eyebright1603
whisking1611
deedy1615
vibrant1616
sprunt1631
perking1653
alert1654
exilient1654
alacrative1657
eveillé1676
budge1691
jaunty1705
spry1746
sprack1747
alive1748
high-geared1795
rash1805
spicy1828
live1830
deedful1834
yary1855
sprucy1858
alacritous1859
sprackish1882
brash1884
up-and-coming1889
up and doing1901
loose1907
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed1936
buzzy1978
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > [adjective]
sharpc888
yepec1000
spacka1200
yare-witelc1275
fellc1300
yap13..
seeinga1382
far-castinga1387
sightya1400
perceivinga1425
snellc1425
politic?a1439
quickc1449
pregnant?a1475
pert1484
quick-wittedc1525
apt1535
intelligentc1540
queemc1540
ready-witted1576
political1577
of (a) great, deep, etc., reach1579
conceited1583
perspicuous1584
sharp-witteda1586
shrewd1589
inseeing1590
conceived1596
acute1598
pregnate1598
agile1599
nimble-headed1601
insighted1602
nimble1604
nimble-witted1604
penetrant1605
penetrating1606
spraga1616
acuminous1619
discoursing1625
smart1639
penetrativea1641
sagacious1650
nasute1653
acuminate1654
blunt-sharpa1661
long-headed1665
smoky1688
rapid1693
keen1704
gash1706
snack1710
cute1731
mobile1778
wide awake1785
acuminated1786
quick-minded1789
kicky1790
snap1790
downy1803
snacky1806
unbaffleable1827
varmint1829
needle-sharp1836
nimble-brained1836
incisivea1850
spry1849
fast1850
snappy1871
hard-boiled1884
on the spot1903
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 4202 Who is now so qweme or qwaint of his wit, That couthe mesure our might.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Adroit,..Handsome, nimble, wheeme, readie or quicke [etc.].
1772 ‘A Lady’ New & Elegant Amusem. 126 He's a good man, indeed, it's true, But not so wheam, my dear, as you.
B. adv.
Chiefly Scottish. In a pleasing, agreeable, or satisfactory manner; gently, smoothly; = queemly adv.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > [adverb]
sweetlyc900
queemlyOE
lustly971
winlyc1000
sootlya1125
to (a person's) queemc1175
lustilya1225
avenantlya1375
pleasinglya1398
queema1400
beinc1400
farrandlyc1400
pleasantlyc1400
pleasantlya1425
queemfullyc1425
thankfullyc1480
greablyc1500
dulcely1508
dulcea1525
pleasant1553
agreeably?1567
pleasurably1580
sugarly1587
flattering1597
sweet1597
attractively1640
well-pleasingly1645
welcomely1646
flatteringly1661
relishingly1677
satisfyingly1743
sweetsome1799
smilingly1806
dulcetly1810
gratifyingly1822
honeyedly1832
enjoyably1877
suavely1883
congenially1884
a fair treat1884
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adverb]
wellOE
tidily1340
avenantlya1375
covenablyc1384
featlya1400
propera1400
queema1400
congruelyc1400
conably1411
cordingc1420
convenablyc1430
competentlyc1440
fitc1440
accordantlyc1443
accordinglyc1443
conveniently1447
at pointc1485
congruentlya1529
appliablyc1530
afferandly1536
suitingly1540
aptly1548
answerably1549
fitlyc1550
agreeingly1563
suitable1584
not unfitly1586
aptitudinallyc1600
handsome1600
sortfully1606
sortably1607
congruouslya1620
accommodately1623
adaptlya1648
inabusivelya1677
suitably1681
agreeably1753
appropriately1795
suitly1913
righteous1948
the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > [adverb] > in a satisfactory manner
queema1400
satisfactorily1561
satisfactoriously1661
all right1736
nicely1748
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) 2689 (MED) He salle serue me ful queme [a1400 Vesp. to queme], and wele my laghe he sal hit ȝeme.
c1480 (a1400) St. Thomas Apostle 180 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 134 And ȝe þe bidding ȝeme of þe apostil wel & queme.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid ix. xii. 6 He thristis to the levys of the ȝet, And closit queym the entre.
1673 J. Ray N. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 52 It lies wheem for me.
1879 P. H. Waddell Isaiah intil Scottis xxx. 10 Speak till us queem.
1900 R. Heughan in Sc. National Dict. (1968) VII. 303/2 [Said of an engine] She's rinnin' as queem as silk.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
queemv.
/kwiːm/, U.S. /kwim/α. early Old English queman, Middle English gueme (transmission error), Middle English guene (transmission error), Middle English kueme (south-eastern), Middle English quem, Middle English quemende (transmission error), Middle English qveme, Middle English qveweffe (transmission error), Middle English qwame (probably transmission error), Middle English qweeme, Middle English qweme, Middle English–1600s queeme, Middle English–1700s queme, 1600s queame, 1800s– queem (Scottish).
β. Old English cueman, Old English cuoema (Northumbrian), Old English cwæman (Mercian), Old English cwæne (singular present subjunctive, transmission error), Old English cweman, early Middle English cweme.
γ. Middle English qwheme (Lancashire, in a late copy), Middle English wheme.
Past tenseα. early Old English quemde, Middle English quamede (probably transmission error), Middle English quemed, Middle English quemede, Middle English quemyd, Middle English quuemeðen (plural, transmission error), Middle English qwemet (in a late copy); Scottish pre-1700 quemit.
β. Old English cwæmde (Mercian), Old English–early Middle English cwemde, early Middle English cwemmde ( Ormulum).
Past participleα. Middle English queemyd, Middle English quemyd, Middle English qwemyd, Middle English–1500s quemed.
β. Old English gecwemed, Old English gicuoemed (Northumbrian), early Middle English cwemedd ( Ormulum), early Middle English cwemmd ( Ormulum), early Middle English cwemmedd ( Ormulum).
Now rare.† 1. intransitive. Of a person: to act in a manner acceptable to (also till, unto) (another, esp. a superior); to be pleasing or gratifying to. Also transitive: to please, gratify. Obsolete.In Old English with dative.† 2. Of a thing, word, deed, etc.† 3. † 5. transitive. To place (a thing) surreptitiously. Obsolete. rare.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
ΚΠ
eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) xix. 147 Ic wilnige on eallum ðingum ðæt ic monnum cueme & licige [L. placeo].
OE Fortunes of Men 77 Sum sceal on heape hæleþum cweman, blissian æt beore bencsittendum.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 1503 Sinnfull lif þeȝȝ leddenn ær. &..cwemmdenn deofell.
a1225 Lamb. Hom. 67 Ȝef þu þus dost..þu quemest god.
a1275 in C. Brown Eng. Lyrics 13th Cent. (1932) 49 (MED) Þonne mou we quemen crist at þe stronke dome.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 26 To..do þet kuead uor to kueme kueadliche to þe wordle.
a1400 Psalter (Vesp.) lii. 7 in C. Horstmann Yorkshire Writers (1896) II. 184 (MED) God skatered banes of þa Vnto men þat qwemes swa [v.r. þat queme un-to men swa; L. qui hominibus placent].
a1425 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (1987) v. 695 My fader nyl..do me grace..for naught I kan hym queme.
?a1475 Ludus Coventriae (1922) 101 (MED) Therefore me semyth best ȝe thus Acorde; than hefne and erthe ȝe xul qweme.
a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) cxiv. 9 Placebo domino in regione viuorum: I sall queme til lord in rewme of lifand.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 676/2 I queme,..This worde is nowe out of use.]
1532 Remedie Loue in Wks. Chaucer f. 365v/2 Thus he saythe, her husbonde to queme That he nor no man shulde not misdeme.
a. intransitive. To be pleasing, acceptable, or agreeable to (a person, the heart, etc.). Also transitive: to please, gladden. Obsolete (poetic in later use).In Old English with dative.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > please or give pleasure to [verb (transitive)]
i-quemec893
ywortheOE
queemeOE
likeOE
likeOE
paya1200
gamec1225
lustc1230
apaya1250
savoura1300
feastc1300
comfort1303
glew1303
pleasec1350
ticklec1386
feedc1400
agreea1413
agreec1425
emplessc1450
gree1468
applease1470
complaire1477
enjoy1485
warm1526
to claw the ears1549
content1552
pleasure1556
oblect?1567
relish1567
gratify1569
sweeta1575
promerit1582
tinkle1582
tastea1586
aggrate1590
gratulatea1592
greeta1592
grace1595
arride1600
complease1604
honey1604
agrade1611
oblectate1611
oblige1652
placentiate1694
flatter1695
to shine up to1882
fancy-
eOE Metrical Dialogue of Solomon & Saturn (Corpus Cambr. 422) i. 165 Nænig man scile oft orðances ut abredan wæpnes ecgge, ðeah ðe him se wlite cweme.
c1225 (?OE) Soul's Addr. to Body (Worcester) (Fragm. G) l. 23 Scearp heo was and kene and cwemde þen deofle.
c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 173 Seruises inedde ne cwemeð [a1250 Titus cwemen; a1300 Caius cwemed; a1400 Pepys quemeþ] nawt ure lauerd.
a1300 (c1275) Physiologus (1991) 165 Oc finde ȝe ðe wete, corn ðat hire qwemeð, Al ȝe forleteð ðis oðer se[d] ðat Ic er seide.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 231 (MED) Maydenhod proud ne quemþ noþing god.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) v. 4366 (MED) Every newe love quemeth To him which newefongel is.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) i. 574 Þi dome vs alle quemes.
c1425 How Good Wife taught her Daughter (Huntington) (1948) 167 (MED) A dede wele done, herte it whemyth.
?a1475 G. Banester Guiscardo & Ghismonda (BL Add.) 321 in H. G. Wright Tales from Decameron (1937) 20 (MED) Therfor I will that to you for treuth be quemyd That for to dye in haste he shall be demyde.
1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. May 15 Such merimake holy Saints doth queme [glossed please].
1602 F. Davison Poet. Rapsody (1611) 53 Sike peerelesse pleasures wont vs for to queeme.
1628 W. Lathum tr. Virgil Eclogues v. 82 So mee thy song, as sleepe on grasse doth queame The Travailer.
b. intransitive. To be suitable or fitting for (a person). Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > suit or be suitable for [verb (transitive)]
suit1431
queemc1540
fita1586
sort1587
suit1600
to level (a person or thing) with (now rare), to, unto1603
to comply with1626
opportunea1634
commodiate1641
commode1655
lend1854
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 3404 Parys..Worshippit þat worthy in wedys full riche As qwemet for a qwene.
a. transitive. To placate, appease (a person, esp. God). Obsolete.
ΚΠ
a1225 (?c1175) Poema Morale (Egerton) 95 in J. Zupitza & J. Schipper Alt- u. Mitteleng. Übungsbuch (1904) 84 Hwet scule we beren bi foren, mid hwan scule we cweman.
a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) 12412 (MED) Make nat þy synne lytyl to seme; Telle smale and grete ȝyf þou God queme.
a1475 Sidrak & Bokkus (Lansd.) (Ph.D. diss., Univ. of Washington) (1965) 6951 (MED) Þanne shullen ȝe him wiþ wordes queme.
c1475 (a1449) J. Lydgate Minor Poems (1934) ii. 521 (MED) They were..driven off necessyte The kyng of Denmark with homage for to queme.
a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) cv. 29 Ffynees stode in stabil hert when other fell and quemyd god.
b. transitive. To assuage (anger, sorrow, etc.); to alleviate, mitigate. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > dissent > absence of dissension or peace > bringing about concord or peace > bring to peace (strife or discord) [verb (transitive)] > appease or propitiate
soft?c1225
queema1325
appeasec1374
pleasea1382
softena1382
mollifya1450
pacifya1500
apeace1523
temper1525
mitigatea1535
qualify?c1550
thaw1582
propitiate1583
aslake1590
smooth1608
to lay down1629
addulce1655
sweeten1657
acquiesce1659
gentle1663
palliate1678
placate1678
conciliate1782
to pour oil on the waters (also on troubled waters)1847
square1859
square1945
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 408 Swilc tiding ðhugte adam god, And sumdel quemeð it his seri mood.
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) iv. 6779 (MED) On me allone vengaunce shal be take..With my blood to make sacrifice To þe goddis, her wroth for to queme.
a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) i. 7006 (MED) Al the world out crieth on vs tweyne, Whos hatful ire bi us may nat be queemyd.
c. transitive. To satisfy (a person, a person's desire or craving). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > be content or satisfied with [verb (transitive)] > content or satisfy > a desire or appetite
stanchc1315
queema1325
slakec1325
fill1340
servea1393
feedc1400
exploita1425
assuagec1430
astaunchc1430
slocken?1507
eslakec1530
sate1534
saturate1538
appease1549
glut1549
answer1594
exsatiate1599
embaitc1620
palliate1631
recreate1643
still1657
jackal1803
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 978 At a welle quemede hire list.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1380 Him..Wið watres drinc ghe quemede wel.
?a1425 (?a1350) T. Castleford Chron. Lear 461 in G. Haselbach & G. Hartmann Festschrift (1957) 227 (MED) Those I in all theyr wyllys quemed Of my kyngdome þai hafe me flemed.
4. transitive. Scottish. To join or fit (a thing) closely; to fit exactly with. Also: to smooth out. rare (poetic in later use).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > insertion or putting in > insert or put in [verb (transitive)] > by way of filling > fit together
queem1501
even1530
fit1611
to shut up1611
fadge1674
1501 G. Douglas Palace of Honour iii. lxvii And thame [sc. the stones] coniunctlie jonit fast and quemit.
1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. II. 253/1 To Queem, to fit exactly; as, to queem the mortice, or joint in wood. Upp. Lanarks.
1935 Bulletin & Scots Pictorial 19 Jan. 9 Sir,— the Scotch word ‘querne’ [read queme] may interest readers. It has always been familiar to me, but I find so many people have never heard it. It means ‘to smooth out’. I think it belongs to Lanarkshire.
1991 M. Devine in T. Hubbard New Makars 124 A pyramid symmetrical hewed wurld wunner desert tomb fur Pharaoh's whigmaleeries ilka bloak bevelled yin queemin tother.
ΚΠ
1727 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. II To Queme, as to queme a Thing into one's Hand, to put it in privately.
Derivatives
ΚΠ
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 86 Ihesus crist fro helle nam His quemed wid eue and adam.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > dissent > absence of dissension or peace > bringing about concord or peace > [noun] > appeasing, pacifying, or propitiating
likingeOE
queemingeOE
mitigationa1382
pleasinga1382
propitiationa1425
appeasement1430
pacification1437
appeasingc1522
reconcilement1581
placation1589
reflection1607
modificationa1641
commodation1643
pacation1658
conciliation1775
making-up1816
mollification1886
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [noun] > mitigation or alleviation
allegeancec1325
swaging1340
legeancec1390
mitigationa1400
swagea1400
allegementa1425
alleging?a1425
alleviation?a1425
lighteningc1425
queeming1440
allevation1502
soberinga1510
extenuation1542
assuagement1561
releasement1569
assuaging1580
assuage1596
mitification1607
allayment1609
palliation1813
soothing1847
eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) xix. 143 Ac ðonne ðæt selflice gegriepð ðæt mod ðæs recceres, & he wilnað ungemetlice licigean, ðonne beræst he oft on ungemetlice cueminge [OE Corpus Cambr. cweminge; L. mollitiem].
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 26 Þe ilke ssame comþ of kueade kuemynge.
a1400 Psalter (Vesp.) cxlvi. 11 in C. Horstmann Yorkshire Writers (1896) II. 272 Noght..in schines ofe man queminge bes him tille.
Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 420 Qwemynge, or peesynge, supra, pacificacio.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.c1175
adj.adv.lOEv.eOE