seemlyadj.

Brit.

/ˈsiːmli/, U.S.

/ˈsimli/

Forms: α. Middle English semliche, ( somlich, semlyche, sem(e)like), sem(e)li, ( semele, semle, seemeli), semelich(e, seem(e)lich, semlich, semelych, symly, Middle English–1500s semly, Middle English–1500s semelie, (Middle English cemely, semly, seymely), Middle English–1600s semely, (Middle English–1500s semelye), Middle English–1600s seemely, (1500s seemlie), Middle English– seemly. β. Middle English–1500s sembly, (Middle English sembbly, sembli, semblych, 1500s seemble). comparative Middle English semeliere, semloker, semelyar, 1500s seemelier, seemelyer, 1500s– seemlier. superlative Middle English semelieste, sem(e)lokest, semlyest(e, ( semelest, semylyeste), sem(e)liest, sem(e)list, seymliast, Middle English–1500s semelyest, 1600s seemelyest, 1500s– seemliest.

Origin: A borrowing from early Scandinavian. Etymon: Norse sǿmilig-r.

Etymology: < Old Norse sǿmilig-r (Middle Swedish sömelek-er , Danish sømmelig ), < sǿm-r becoming: see seem v.² and -ly suffix¹.

a. Of a person, his figure, etc.: Of a pleasing or goodly appearance, fair, well-formed, handsome, ‘proper’. Obsolete exc. dialect.In early use chiefly applied to a person of high rank or lineage. Frequently used alliteratively, as seemly to see, seemly in or to sight.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] > specifically of persons

faireOE

seemlya1225

featous1340

jolly?a1366

tretis?a1366

comelya1375

covenablea1375

well-beseenc1374

favourablea1398

farrandc1400

personable?1435

well-favoureda1438

covenantc1440

likelyc1450

trety?c1450

tret1488

decore?a1513

jimp?a1513

wally?a1513

smotter?1520

snout-fair1530

well-looking1613

comely-looking1648

personal1658

comely-looked1664

winsome1677

tidy1714

good-looking1715

well to be seen1809

α.

a1225 Leg. Kath. 449 Ah þischene nebscheft & tisemliche schape schaweð wel þæt tu art freo monne foster.

a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1007 Siðen..Sag abraham figures ðre, Sondes semlike kumen fro gode.

c1350 Libeaus Desc. 125 Þer nas countesse ne quene So semelich on to sene, Þat miȝte be her pere.

c1386 G. Chaucer Manciple's Tale 15 Therto he was the semelieste man That is or was sith þat the world bigan.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 18830 Of heght he [sc/ Christ] was meteli man,..And wonder semli was wit-al.

c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 816 His [Lot's] two dere doȝterez..wer semly & swete, & swyþe wel arayed.

c1450 (c1400) Sowdon of Babylon (1881) l. 39 A Baron & Kniȝtis ful boold, That roialle were and semly to sene.

?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 263 That peple is stronge and of semely stature.

1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 237/1 He sawe an auncient man of noble stature wyth a long berd wyth a semely vysage.

1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) xii. l. 758 Byschop Synclar..Com out off Bute with symly men to sycht.

?1510 T. More tr. G. F. Pico della Mirandola Lyfe I. Picus sig. a.ii^v He was of feture & shappe semely & bewteouse.

1540 T. Cromwell in R. B. Merriman Life & Lett. T. Cromwell (1902) II. 269 She is nothing so Fayre as she hathe bene reportyd, howbeit she is well and semelye.

1577 Vicary's Profitable Treat. Anat. sig. C.ij^v The Heire..maketh the forme..of the head to seeme more seemelyer or beautyfuller.

1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene v. iv. sig. P And them beside two seemely damzels stood.

1900 E. Phillpotts in Pall Mall Mag. Apr. 436 He was a man of seemly outward parts.

β. c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 834 Þanne was Olyuer þat sembbly knyȝt al-one among is fon.c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 5884 Hure vysage was fair & tretys, Hure body..semblych of stature.1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Gen. xxiv. 16 Rabecca..a ful sembly damysel, and moost fayr mayden.1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) 1 Sam. xvi. 12 Forsothe he was rodi..and sembli in face.1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) x. l. 1226 In schuldrys braid was he, Rycht sembly, strang and lusty for to se.1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid vi. xv. 37 A sembly springald, a fayr ȝowng galland, Rycht schaply maid.

†b. absol. quasi-n. A ‘seemly’ person. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [noun] > person

seemlyc1325

hendya1350

good face1591

c1325 in T. Wright Specimens Lyric Poetry (1842) vii. 29 For selden y am sad that semly forte se.

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 732 But certes þat semly sat so in his hert..þat..a-wai wold it neuer.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13371 Þat gadring þar was ful gret, And mani semli sett in sete.

c1440 York Myst. xlvii. 6 And to þat semely schall ȝe saye Off heuene I haue hir chosen quene.

a1450 Le Morte Arth. 639 Is noon of vs but wold be blithe Suche a semely for to see.

2. Of things: Pleasant (esp. to the sight); handsome in appearance; of fine or stately proportion.

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

c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 12 Þis semly somers day.

1340–70 Alex. & Dind. 115 Þere sai he semliche tres wiþ þe sonne woxe.

a1350 in G. L. Brook Harley Lyrics (1968) 31 Ase beryl so bryht, ase saphyr in seluer semly on syht.

1380 G. Chaucer To Rosemounde 11 Your seemly voys that ye so smal out-twyne.

?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 81 There be trees of so semely stature that vnnethe the altitude of theym may be atteynede by the schote of an arowe.

1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer Prol. f. cccxxv This boke that nothyng hath of the great floode of wyt, ne of semelych colours, is doluen with rude wordes and boystous.

1563 T. Sackville in W. Baldwin et al. Myrrour for Magistrates (new ed.) ii The soyle that earst so seemely was to seen.

1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie ii. vii. 37 Their gownes..white or of other seemlie colour.

1615 W. Lawson Country Housewifes Garden (1626) 12 You must therefore plant in such a soile, where you may prouide a conuenient, strong, and seemely fence.

a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Chester 192 He erected a seemly waterwork built Steeplewise..by his own ingenious industry.

1826 E. Irving Babylon I. iv. 294 This seemly fabric which he had built up, of arms, of arts, of elegance,..began to crumble.

1870 D. Rock Textile Fabrics (S. Kensington Mus.) Introd. p. lxxxvi From such a prohibition we are not to draw as a conclusion that fustian was at the time a mean material; quite the contrary, it was a seemly textile.

1884 Manch. Examiner 18 Sept. 4/6 He..like a skilful architect, builds them into a fair and seemly edifice.

β. c1305 Land Cokayne 66 Þer is a cloister fair and liȝt Brod and lang, of sembli siȝt.1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) viii. l. 1008 A semly place so fand thai..Quhilk Ramswaith hecht.

3. Of conduct, speech, appearance: Conformable to propriety or good taste; becoming, decorous.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [adjective] > seemly or proper

seemly?c1225

comelya1350

seemc1400

ablea1500

setting1535

decent1545

civil1582

proper1738

gradely1763

decorous1792

nice1799

correctc1800

proprietous1815

the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > pleasing fitness > [adjective] > seemly or decorous

seemly?c1225

comelya1350

seemc1400

setting1535

comingc1540

decent1545

civil1582

handsome1583

mensefula1598

sprunt1631

semblable1647

proper1738

orthodox1755

decorous1792

comme il faut1818

wise-like1820

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 75 & Forþi hit is semlich [a1250 Nero somlich] þet ancren þeose twa marechȝeuen habben biforen oðre.

c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 41 I conseile..my freris..þat þei ben..homly & meke, spekynge of al þingis as it is semely.

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 2962 Hit were sittyng for sothe, & semly for wemen, þaire houses to haunt & holde hom with in.

1545 G. Joye Expos. Daniel (vii.) f. 124 A fayer decent semely shewe of vtwarde deuocion.

1579 L. Tomson tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. S. Paule to Timothie & Titus 139/1 That our liues be honest and semely, not dissolute and lawlesse.

1656 J. Smith Myst. Rhetorique Unvail'd 70 Such like formes of speaking are used for modesties sake; for it were not so seemly to say..that he is a fool.

1708 J. Philips Cyder ii. 484 May we..enjoy Our humid Products, and with seemly Draughts Enkindle Mirth.

1785 W. Cowper Task i. 729 It is not seemly, nor of good report, That she is slack in discipline.

a1807 W. Wordsworth Prelude (1959) iii. 92 And over all Should be a healthy, sound simplicity, A seemly plainness, name it what you will, Republican or pious.

1817 S. T. Coleridge Blessed are ye that Sow 72 To be..industrious, useful, and of seemly bearing, are qualities presupposed in the gospel code.

1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend I. ii. xv. 309 Take a little time..to make your eyes seemly [after weeping].

1871 J. S. Blackie Four Phases Morals i. 153 It were not seemly in me to follow their example.

1877 J. D. Chambers Divine Worship Eng. 346 Let the Priest set down the Chalice in front of him in a seemly way.

absolute.a1806 S. Horsley Serm. (1816) II. xxi. 187 A system of morality in which the formal nature of the moral good should be traced to the original idea of the seemly and the fair.β. 1554 in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1733) III. xvi. 139 For it was not meet nor seemble, that the Bishop being occupied with other weightier Affairs..should debase himself to such petit Functions.

†4. Suitable to the person or the occasion; appropriate. Const. to, for. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

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

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1882 Þei ete..boute salt oþer sauce or any semli drynk.

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 568 I sayle now in þe see as schip boute mast,..or ani semlyche sayle.

1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 302 He commaunded the Citezens of London to prepare themselues and their Citie, and to make the same seemely and meete to receyue..the French king.

1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. C2 The verye lowest margent of paper shall doe no more but beare it, so be it the space be seemelye for the name.

1586 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. I. 671 Artaxerxes said, that it was a great deale more seemelier for the Majestie of a king to giue, than to take.

1602 B. Jonson Poetaster iv. vi. sig. I And are these seemely company for thee, Degenerate Monster?

1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets xxii. sig. C^v For all that beauty that doth couer thee, Is but the seemely rayment of my heart, Which in thy brest doth liue.

1611 Bible (King James) Prov. xix. 10 Delight is not seemely for a foole.

1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 146 The heeles [of shoes] shod with thin Iron, and end with small nailes in seemely order.

†5. [Influenced by seem v.²]

a. Likely.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > [adjective]

likelya1400

seemlya1400

probable?a1425

allowablec1443

seeming?c1450

apt1528

topical1594

liking1611

suspicable1651

presumable1655

feasible1656

suspected1706

in the cards1764

on the cards1788

in the dice1844

liable1888

better-than-chance1964

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 9781 If aungel had take monnes kynde þenne were he leþyere þen he was ere..And semeliere for to doun falle.

c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xxxi. 140 I dare noȝt say þat þai ware all verray bodys:..for it es noȝt semely þat so grete a multitude of folk schuld verrayly hafe bene deed so resch withouten..corrupcioun.

1496 Dives & Pauper (1534) ii. xiii. 98 b He sholde not haue made that oth..for it was semely, that moche dysease myght come therof, yf it were kepte.

b. Apparent, seeming. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > [adjective] > seeming or apparent

huedc1000

showing?c1400

seemlya1450

apparissaunt1485

superficial1616

specious1617

semblable1627

apparent1645

representative1646

skin-deep1653

appearing1656

seemingly1725

semblative1814

semblant1840

a1450 N. Love Mirror Blessed Life (Yale) viii [Christ giving us example that] we schulden not go fro þe ground of trew mekenesse by coloure of any semelych profyte or gode [L. apparentis boni].

1801 R. Southey Thalaba I. ii. 96 And still the wily man With seemly kindness to the eager Boy Directs his winning tale.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

seemlyadv.

Brit.

/ˈsiːmli/, U.S.

/ˈsimli/

Forms: Middle English semelike, semele, semili, Middle English sem(e)liche, semeli, ( semeely), Middle English sem(y)ly, Middle English–1500s semely, Middle English cemely, (1500s semelie, semelye, 1600s seemlie), 1500s– seemly.

Origin: A borrowing from early Scandinavian. Etymon: Norse sǿmiliga.

Etymology: < Old Norse sǿmiliga (Icelandic sæmiliga , Middle Swedish sömelika ), < sǿm-r : see seemly adj. and -ly suffix².

1. In a pleasing manner; so as to present a fair, handsome, or stately appearance. Now archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adverb]

fairlyOE

comelyOE

hendly?c1225

goodlyc1275

seemlya1325

sweet1338

quaintly1340

properlyc1390

well?a1400

comelilyc1400

seemlilyc1400

jollilyc1426

formally1548

handsomely1560

sightly1592

handsome1600

winsomely17..

nicely1714

in one's best (also worst) looks1816

presentably1848

a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1504 Ðe firme sune at offrende sel Was wune ben scrid semelike and wel.

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1432 Þemperour ful semly seide to hem þanne [etc.].

c1386 G. Chaucer Prol. 123 Ful weel she soong the seruice dyuyne, Entuned in hir nose ful semeely.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9880 A castell bath god and gett, Strenthed well and semili sett.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8322 It sal be precius and prude, þe werc he [sc. Solomon] sal sua semele scrude.

c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 1442 Þe iueles..Bi þe syde of þe sale were semely arayed.

c1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 73 A spouse semly dighte of ryche ornements.

c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 151 Ful semely hir wympel pynched was.

1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xvii. vii. 699 Gyrdels which were semely wroughte with golden thredys.

1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. UUUvi^v Those blessed lockes of heare and beerd, whiche in lyfe, moste semely dyd become that graciouse heed & face.

1553 J. Brende tr. Q. Curtius Rufus Hist. ix. f. 196 Whiche beynge men of goodly personages, ridde in wagons semely appaireled.

1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd ii. 299 A man before him stood, Not rustic as before, but seemlier clad.

1876 A. C. Swinburne Erechtheus 379 Look on this child, how young of years, how sweet;..her eyes How seemly smiling.

2. Fittingly, appropriately; decently, becomingly.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [adverb] > with propriety

comelyOE

seemlyc1320

menskfullya1375

tallya1375

comelilyc1400

comelywise1440

decently1552

decent1716

decorously1808

properly1811

wise-like1822

the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > pleasing fitness > [adverb] > in seemly or decorous manner

comelyOE

menskful?c1225

seemlyc1320

menskfullya1375

tallya1375

comelilyc1400

comelywise1440

handsomely1525

decently1552

civilly1593

decent1716

comme il faut1756

decorously1808

wise-like1822

spiffily1977

c1320 tr. J. Bonaventura Medit. 387 Þat mannes soule, þat lyþ yn helle, May nat semely to blys be broȝt, But þey with hys blode be fyrst oute boȝt.

1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VIII. 87 Þe bisshop of Durham, þat schulde more skilfulliche and semeliche occupie hym self in Goddis service þan in þe kynges service.

c1440 Astron. Cal. (Ashm. 391) Þan meve þe cercle semyly aboute þ^t hath þe moonþes and signes writen in hym.

1552 Godly Prayers in Psalter (1560) N ij That..we maye..decently and semely walke (as in the day time) beyng pure and cleane from the workes of darkenes.

1593 in W. Greenwell Wills & Inventories Registry Durham (1860) II. 218 My bodye I commytt to the earth, to be semelye buried at the discretion of my frendes.

1594 R. Ashley tr. L. le Roy Interchangeable Course vii. f. 94 For we haue..their domestical, and familiar affaires, better, and seemlier ordered.

1643 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce 30 Nor is it seemly or piously attributed to the justice of God..that [etc.].

1726 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey IV. xix. 21 These swarthy arms among the covert stores Are seemlier hid.

1875 W. Morris tr. Virgil Æneids xii. 210 E'en as this sceptre..A tree once, but the craftsman's hand hath wrapped it seemly now With brass about.

†3. In a moderate degree, ‘fairly’. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > moderateness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb] > fairly

reasonably1389

reasonablyc1447

seemlyc1460

reasonable1485

gaily1532

indifferently?c1550

pretty well1576

indifferent1583

tolerably1602

tolerable1673

middling1719

geylies1754

middlingly1755

fairly1805

fairish1818

wellish1830

serviceably1896

c1460 J. Metham Wks. 90 And yff this lyne be semely longe and pase noght the hylle off the schewyng ffynger, yt sygnyfyith hardynes.

1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. 127 Henry the first..recontinued the liberty of publique consultations, and yet maintained his dignity and honour seemly well.

4. Apparently, seemingly. dialect.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > [adverb] > seemingly or apparently

in semblant?a1366

quasi1485

cloakedlya1500

appearingly1554

in show1556

apparentlya1572

pearinglya1578

with show1614

seeminglya1616

seemingly1715

seemly1821

in semblance1864

semblably1889

mbu2002

1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel II. 77 The shrieking bat, Who, seemly pleas'd to mock our treacherous view, Would even swoop and touch us as he flew.

1901 E. G. Hayden Trav. round Village i. 16 We yeard a girt hollerin' as comed simly from unner our fit.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	seemly
释义	seemlyadj. Brit. /ˈsiːmli/, U.S. /ˈsimli/ Forms: α. Middle English semliche, ( somlich, semlyche, sem(e)like), sem(e)li, ( semele, semle, seemeli), semelich(e, seem(e)lich, semlich, semelych, symly, Middle English–1500s semly, Middle English–1500s semelie, (Middle English cemely, semly, seymely), Middle English–1600s semely, (Middle English–1500s semelye), Middle English–1600s seemely, (1500s seemlie), Middle English– seemly. β. Middle English–1500s sembly, (Middle English sembbly, sembli, semblych, 1500s seemble). comparative Middle English semeliere, semloker, semelyar, 1500s seemelier, seemelyer, 1500s– seemlier. superlative Middle English semelieste, sem(e)lokest, semlyest(e, ( semelest, semylyeste), sem(e)liest, sem(e)list, seymliast, Middle English–1500s semelyest, 1600s seemelyest, 1500s– seemliest. Origin: A borrowing from early Scandinavian. Etymon: Norse sǿmilig-r. Etymology: < Old Norse sǿmilig-r (Middle Swedish sömelek-er , Danish sømmelig ), < sǿm-r becoming: see seem v.² and -ly suffix¹. 1. a. Of a person, his figure, etc.: Of a pleasing or goodly appearance, fair, well-formed, handsome, ‘proper’. Obsolete exc. dialect.In early use chiefly applied to a person of high rank or lineage. Frequently used alliteratively, as seemly to see, seemly in or to sight. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] > specifically of persons faireOE seemlya1225 featous1340 jolly?a1366 tretis?a1366 comelya1375 covenablea1375 well-beseenc1374 favourablea1398 farrandc1400 personable?1435 well-favoureda1438 covenantc1440 likelyc1450 trety?c1450 tret1488 decore?a1513 jimp?a1513 wally?a1513 smotter?1520 snout-fair1530 well-looking1613 comely-looking1648 personal1658 comely-looked1664 winsome1677 tidy1714 good-looking1715 well to be seen1809 α. a1225 Leg. Kath. 449 Ah þischene nebscheft & tisemliche schape schaweð wel þæt tu art freo monne foster. a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1007 Siðen..Sag abraham figures ðre, Sondes semlike kumen fro gode. c1350 Libeaus Desc. 125 Þer nas countesse ne quene So semelich on to sene, Þat miȝte be her pere. c1386 G. Chaucer Manciple's Tale 15 Therto he was the semelieste man That is or was sith þat the world bigan. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 18830 Of heght he [sc/ Christ] was meteli man,..And wonder semli was wit-al. c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 816 His [Lot's] two dere doȝterez..wer semly & swete, & swyþe wel arayed. c1450 (c1400) Sowdon of Babylon (1881) l. 39 A Baron & Kniȝtis ful boold, That roialle were and semly to sene. ?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 263 That peple is stronge and of semely stature. 1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 237/1 He sawe an auncient man of noble stature wyth a long berd wyth a semely vysage. 1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) xii. l. 758 Byschop Synclar..Com out off Bute with symly men to sycht. ?1510 T. More tr. G. F. Pico della Mirandola Lyfe I. Picus sig. a.ii^v He was of feture & shappe semely & bewteouse. 1540 T. Cromwell in R. B. Merriman Life & Lett. T. Cromwell (1902) II. 269 She is nothing so Fayre as she hathe bene reportyd, howbeit she is well and semelye. 1577 Vicary's Profitable Treat. Anat. sig. C.ij^v The Heire..maketh the forme..of the head to seeme more seemelyer or beautyfuller. 1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene v. iv. sig. P And them beside two seemely damzels stood. View more context for this quotation 1900 E. Phillpotts in Pall Mall Mag. Apr. 436 He was a man of seemly outward parts. β. c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 834 Þanne was Olyuer þat sembbly knyȝt al-one among is fon.c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 5884 Hure vysage was fair & tretys, Hure body..semblych of stature.1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Gen. xxiv. 16 Rabecca..a ful sembly damysel, and moost fayr mayden.1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) 1 Sam. xvi. 12 Forsothe he was rodi..and sembli in face.1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) x. l. 1226 In schuldrys braid was he, Rycht sembly, strang and lusty for to se.1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid vi. xv. 37 A sembly springald, a fayr ȝowng galland, Rycht schaply maid. †b. absol. quasi-n. A ‘seemly’ person. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [noun] > person seemlyc1325 hendya1350 good face1591 c1325 in T. Wright Specimens Lyric Poetry (1842) vii. 29 For selden y am sad that semly forte se. a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 732 But certes þat semly sat so in his hert..þat..a-wai wold it neuer. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13371 Þat gadring þar was ful gret, And mani semli sett in sete. c1440 York Myst. xlvii. 6 And to þat semely schall ȝe saye Off heuene I haue hir chosen quene. a1450 Le Morte Arth. 639 Is noon of vs but wold be blithe Suche a semely for to see. 2. Of things: Pleasant (esp. to the sight); handsome in appearance; of fine or stately proportion. 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 c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 12 Þis semly somers day. 1340–70 Alex. & Dind. 115 Þere sai he semliche tres wiþ þe sonne woxe. a1350 in G. L. Brook Harley Lyrics (1968) 31 Ase beryl so bryht, ase saphyr in seluer semly on syht. 1380 G. Chaucer To Rosemounde 11 Your seemly voys that ye so smal out-twyne. ?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 81 There be trees of so semely stature that vnnethe the altitude of theym may be atteynede by the schote of an arowe. 1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer Prol. f. cccxxv This boke that nothyng hath of the great floode of wyt, ne of semelych colours, is doluen with rude wordes and boystous. 1563 T. Sackville in W. Baldwin et al. Myrrour for Magistrates (new ed.) ii The soyle that earst so seemely was to seen. 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie ii. vii. 37 Their gownes..white or of other seemlie colour. 1615 W. Lawson Country Housewifes Garden (1626) 12 You must therefore plant in such a soile, where you may prouide a conuenient, strong, and seemely fence. a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Chester 192 He erected a seemly waterwork built Steeplewise..by his own ingenious industry. 1826 E. Irving Babylon I. iv. 294 This seemly fabric which he had built up, of arms, of arts, of elegance,..began to crumble. 1870 D. Rock Textile Fabrics (S. Kensington Mus.) Introd. p. lxxxvi From such a prohibition we are not to draw as a conclusion that fustian was at the time a mean material; quite the contrary, it was a seemly textile. 1884 Manch. Examiner 18 Sept. 4/6 He..like a skilful architect, builds them into a fair and seemly edifice. β. c1305 Land Cokayne 66 Þer is a cloister fair and liȝt Brod and lang, of sembli siȝt.1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) viii. l. 1008 A semly place so fand thai..Quhilk Ramswaith hecht. 3. Of conduct, speech, appearance: Conformable to propriety or good taste; becoming, decorous. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [adjective] > seemly or proper seemly?c1225 comelya1350 seemc1400 ablea1500 setting1535 decent1545 civil1582 proper1738 gradely1763 decorous1792 nice1799 correctc1800 proprietous1815 the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > pleasing fitness > [adjective] > seemly or decorous seemly?c1225 comelya1350 seemc1400 setting1535 comingc1540 decent1545 civil1582 handsome1583 mensefula1598 sprunt1631 semblable1647 proper1738 orthodox1755 decorous1792 comme il faut1818 wise-like1820 ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 75 & Forþi hit is semlich [a1250 Nero somlich] þet ancren þeose twa marechȝeuen habben biforen oðre. c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 41 I conseile..my freris..þat þei ben..homly & meke, spekynge of al þingis as it is semely. c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 2962 Hit were sittyng for sothe, & semly for wemen, þaire houses to haunt & holde hom with in. 1545 G. Joye Expos. Daniel (vii.) f. 124 A fayer decent semely shewe of vtwarde deuocion. 1579 L. Tomson tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. S. Paule to Timothie & Titus 139/1 That our liues be honest and semely, not dissolute and lawlesse. 1656 J. Smith Myst. Rhetorique Unvail'd 70 Such like formes of speaking are used for modesties sake; for it were not so seemly to say..that he is a fool. 1708 J. Philips Cyder ii. 484 May we..enjoy Our humid Products, and with seemly Draughts Enkindle Mirth. 1785 W. Cowper Task i. 729 It is not seemly, nor of good report, That she is slack in discipline. a1807 W. Wordsworth Prelude (1959) iii. 92 And over all Should be a healthy, sound simplicity, A seemly plainness, name it what you will, Republican or pious. 1817 S. T. Coleridge Blessed are ye that Sow 72 To be..industrious, useful, and of seemly bearing, are qualities presupposed in the gospel code. 1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend I. ii. xv. 309 Take a little time..to make your eyes seemly [after weeping]. 1871 J. S. Blackie Four Phases Morals i. 153 It were not seemly in me to follow their example. 1877 J. D. Chambers Divine Worship Eng. 346 Let the Priest set down the Chalice in front of him in a seemly way. absolute.a1806 S. Horsley Serm. (1816) II. xxi. 187 A system of morality in which the formal nature of the moral good should be traced to the original idea of the seemly and the fair.β. 1554 in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1733) III. xvi. 139 For it was not meet nor seemble, that the Bishop being occupied with other weightier Affairs..should debase himself to such petit Functions. †4. Suitable to the person or the occasion; appropriate. Const. to, for. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ 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 a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1882 Þei ete..boute salt oþer sauce or any semli drynk. a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 568 I sayle now in þe see as schip boute mast,..or ani semlyche sayle. 1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 302 He commaunded the Citezens of London to prepare themselues and their Citie, and to make the same seemely and meete to receyue..the French king. 1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. C2 The verye lowest margent of paper shall doe no more but beare it, so be it the space be seemelye for the name. 1586 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. I. 671 Artaxerxes said, that it was a great deale more seemelier for the Majestie of a king to giue, than to take. 1602 B. Jonson Poetaster iv. vi. sig. I And are these seemely company for thee, Degenerate Monster? View more context for this quotation 1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets xxii. sig. C^v For all that beauty that doth couer thee, Is but the seemely rayment of my heart, Which in thy brest doth liue. View more context for this quotation 1611 Bible (King James) Prov. xix. 10 Delight is not seemely for a foole. View more context for this quotation 1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 146 The heeles [of shoes] shod with thin Iron, and end with small nailes in seemely order. †5. [Influenced by seem v.²] a. Likely. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > [adjective] likelya1400 seemlya1400 probable?a1425 allowablec1443 seeming?c1450 apt1528 topical1594 liking1611 suspicable1651 presumable1655 feasible1656 suspected1706 in the cards1764 on the cards1788 in the dice1844 liable1888 better-than-chance1964 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 9781 If aungel had take monnes kynde þenne were he leþyere þen he was ere..And semeliere for to doun falle. c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xxxi. 140 I dare noȝt say þat þai ware all verray bodys:..for it es noȝt semely þat so grete a multitude of folk schuld verrayly hafe bene deed so resch withouten..corrupcioun. 1496 Dives & Pauper (1534) ii. xiii. 98 b He sholde not haue made that oth..for it was semely, that moche dysease myght come therof, yf it were kepte. b. Apparent, seeming. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > [adjective] > seeming or apparent huedc1000 showing?c1400 seemlya1450 apparissaunt1485 superficial1616 specious1617 semblable1627 apparent1645 representative1646 skin-deep1653 appearing1656 seemingly1725 semblative1814 semblant1840 a1450 N. Love Mirror Blessed Life (Yale) viii [Christ giving us example that] we schulden not go fro þe ground of trew mekenesse by coloure of any semelych profyte or gode [L. apparentis boni]. 1801 R. Southey Thalaba I. ii. 96 And still the wily man With seemly kindness to the eager Boy Directs his winning tale. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online March 2022). seemlyadv. Brit. /ˈsiːmli/, U.S. /ˈsimli/ Forms: Middle English semelike, semele, semili, Middle English sem(e)liche, semeli, ( semeely), Middle English sem(y)ly, Middle English–1500s semely, Middle English cemely, (1500s semelie, semelye, 1600s seemlie), 1500s– seemly. Origin: A borrowing from early Scandinavian. Etymon: Norse sǿmiliga. Etymology: < Old Norse sǿmiliga (Icelandic sæmiliga , Middle Swedish sömelika ), < sǿm-r : see seemly adj. and -ly suffix². 1. In a pleasing manner; so as to present a fair, handsome, or stately appearance. Now archaic. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adverb] fairlyOE comelyOE hendly?c1225 goodlyc1275 seemlya1325 sweet1338 quaintly1340 properlyc1390 well?a1400 comelilyc1400 seemlilyc1400 jollilyc1426 formally1548 handsomely1560 sightly1592 handsome1600 winsomely17.. nicely1714 in one's best (also worst) looks1816 presentably1848 a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1504 Ðe firme sune at offrende sel Was wune ben scrid semelike and wel. a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1432 Þemperour ful semly seide to hem þanne [etc.]. c1386 G. Chaucer Prol. 123 Ful weel she soong the seruice dyuyne, Entuned in hir nose ful semeely. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9880 A castell bath god and gett, Strenthed well and semili sett. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8322 It sal be precius and prude, þe werc he [sc. Solomon] sal sua semele scrude. c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 1442 Þe iueles..Bi þe syde of þe sale were semely arayed. c1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 73 A spouse semly dighte of ryche ornements. c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 151 Ful semely hir wympel pynched was. 1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xvii. vii. 699 Gyrdels which were semely wroughte with golden thredys. 1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. UUUvi^v Those blessed lockes of heare and beerd, whiche in lyfe, moste semely dyd become that graciouse heed & face. 1553 J. Brende tr. Q. Curtius Rufus Hist. ix. f. 196 Whiche beynge men of goodly personages, ridde in wagons semely appaireled. 1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd ii. 299 A man before him stood, Not rustic as before, but seemlier clad. View more context for this quotation 1876 A. C. Swinburne Erechtheus 379 Look on this child, how young of years, how sweet;..her eyes How seemly smiling. 2. Fittingly, appropriately; decently, becomingly. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [adverb] > with propriety comelyOE seemlyc1320 menskfullya1375 tallya1375 comelilyc1400 comelywise1440 decently1552 decent1716 decorously1808 properly1811 wise-like1822 the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > pleasing fitness > [adverb] > in seemly or decorous manner comelyOE menskful?c1225 seemlyc1320 menskfullya1375 tallya1375 comelilyc1400 comelywise1440 handsomely1525 decently1552 civilly1593 decent1716 comme il faut1756 decorously1808 wise-like1822 spiffily1977 c1320 tr. J. Bonaventura Medit. 387 Þat mannes soule, þat lyþ yn helle, May nat semely to blys be broȝt, But þey with hys blode be fyrst oute boȝt. 1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VIII. 87 Þe bisshop of Durham, þat schulde more skilfulliche and semeliche occupie hym self in Goddis service þan in þe kynges service. c1440 Astron. Cal. (Ashm. 391) Þan meve þe cercle semyly aboute þ^t hath þe moonþes and signes writen in hym. 1552 Godly Prayers in Psalter (1560) N ij That..we maye..decently and semely walke (as in the day time) beyng pure and cleane from the workes of darkenes. 1593 in W. Greenwell Wills & Inventories Registry Durham (1860) II. 218 My bodye I commytt to the earth, to be semelye buried at the discretion of my frendes. 1594 R. Ashley tr. L. le Roy Interchangeable Course vii. f. 94 For we haue..their domestical, and familiar affaires, better, and seemlier ordered. 1643 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce 30 Nor is it seemly or piously attributed to the justice of God..that [etc.]. 1726 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey IV. xix. 21 These swarthy arms among the covert stores Are seemlier hid. 1875 W. Morris tr. Virgil Æneids xii. 210 E'en as this sceptre..A tree once, but the craftsman's hand hath wrapped it seemly now With brass about. †3. In a moderate degree, ‘fairly’. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > moderateness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb] > fairly reasonably1389 reasonablyc1447 seemlyc1460 reasonable1485 gaily1532 indifferently?c1550 pretty well1576 indifferent1583 tolerably1602 tolerable1673 middling1719 geylies1754 middlingly1755 fairly1805 fairish1818 wellish1830 serviceably1896 c1460 J. Metham Wks. 90 And yff this lyne be semely longe and pase noght the hylle off the schewyng ffynger, yt sygnyfyith hardynes. 1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. 127 Henry the first..recontinued the liberty of publique consultations, and yet maintained his dignity and honour seemly well. 4. Apparently, seemingly. dialect. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > [adverb] > seemingly or apparently in semblant?a1366 quasi1485 cloakedlya1500 appearingly1554 in show1556 apparentlya1572 pearinglya1578 with show1614 seeminglya1616 seemingly1715 seemly1821 in semblance1864 semblably1889 mbu2002 1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel II. 77 The shrieking bat, Who, seemly pleas'd to mock our treacherous view, Would even swoop and touch us as he flew. 1901 E. G. Hayden Trav. round Village i. 16 We yeard a girt hollerin' as comed simly from unner our fit. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < adj.a1225adv.c1320
随便看	tenement man tenement of houses tenement yard tenemental tenementary tenemented tenementer tenements tenendas tenendum tenent tenente teneral teneriffe teneritude tenerity tenerous tenes tenesmic tenesmus tenesmuses tenest tenet tenets tenfigure