sembleadj.
Obsolete (exc. archaic and poetic).
Like, similar.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adjective]
ylikeeOE
likeOE
anlikeOE
accordanta1325
of a (also one) mouldc1330
kindred1340
lichy1370
likelyc1384
alikea1393
ontinkela1400
evenly?c1400
similable?a1440
semble1449
of a sort1463
seemable1501
uniform1548
resembled1553
self-like1556
like-natured1566
resembling1573
kindlike1579
of the same, that, every, etc. feather1581
resemblant1581
marrow1585
similar1586
like-seeming1590
twin-like1599
connatural1601
similary1610
semblativea1616
otherlike1620
like-shaped1640
connate1641
homogeneous1641
consimilar1645
congenerous1646
resemblancing1652
congeniousa1656
congenerate1657
equaliform1660
congenial1669
similitive1678
symbolizant1685
synonymous1690
of akin1723
consimilary1736
like-sized1742
cogeneric1777
alike as a row of pins1785
congenerica1834
Siamese1833
congener1867
lak1881
sorty1885
homoeomorphic1902
homogenized1958
1449 Verulam MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm. 1906) 4 The seide place without delaye to be abated in semble wyse.
a1450 Knt. de la Tour 87 Thanne the quene after kneled tofore her lorde, and besought hym that men shulde do semble iustice to Amon the seneschall.
a1500 Ratis Raving i. 1355 As arestotyll and ypocras Has vyting in syk symbly cass.
1546 T. Langley tr. P. Vergil Abridgem. Notable Worke vi. iv. 118 b Also he did in semble wise consecrate the Table.
1608 T. Hudson tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Ivdith i. 16 in J. Sylvester Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) A tyrant vile, Of name and deed that bare the semble stile, That did this king.
1965 W. H. Auden About House (1966) 40 Six lenient semble sieges, None of them perilous, Is now a Perfect Social Number.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
† semblev.1
Obsolete.
1. transitive.
a. To bring together (persons) into one place or company; = assemble v.1 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > gather together [verb (transitive)] > assemble (people or animals)
gathera975
samOE
flockc1275
assemble1297
ensemblea1300
sanka1300
semblea1325
applyc1384
minga1400
resemble1477
suma1500
congregatea1513
amass1573
troopa1592
convene1596
to scum together1596
conventicle1597
rally1603
entroop1609
rustle1883
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3865 God [bad] semelen folc and gon, And foren hem smiten on ðe ston.
a1352 L. Minot Poems (1914) iii. 87 He sembled all his men full still.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7410 His scepe þam-self war sembel samen.
a1500 Beket's Prophecies in Bernardus de Cura Rei Fam. 25 And þen thomas semblise sone seyue skore masons.
1603 T. Dekker et al. Patient Grissill sig. L2 Heare you now, awl that bee sembled heere.
b. spec. (See quot.) Cf. sembling n.2 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > Heterocera > [verb (transitive)] > collect males from distance
semble1870
1870 Hardwicke's Sci.-gossip 153 A group [of moths], the females of many of which are noted for the peculiar property they possess of collecting, or, as the old entomologists named it, ‘sembling’, the males from long distances.
2. To bring together (things) into one place or mass, to collect; = assemble v.1 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > gather together [verb (transitive)]
somnec825
heapc900
gathera975
samc1000
to set togetherc1275
fang1340
assemblec1374
recueilc1380
drawa1393
to draw togethera1398
semblea1400
congatherc1400
congregatec1400
to take together1490
recollect1513
to gather togetherc1515
to get together1523
congesta1552
confer1552
collect1573
ingatherc1575
ramass1586
upgather1590
to muster upa1593
accrue1594
musterc1595
compone1613
herd1615
contract1620
recoil1632
comporta1641
rally1643
rendezvous1670
purse1809
adduct1824
to round up1873
reeve1876
to pull together1925
a1400 Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS. 55 Scho sall gedyre and sembyll gude whete and oþer gud cornnes to-gedir.
c1470 J. Hardyng Chron. lxv. i That made a wall well wrought of lyme and stone, Where Seuer made of turues & soddes sembled.
3. intransitive. To come together; = assemble v.1 5.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > gather together [verb (intransitive)] > specifically of people or animals
gathera975
ensemblea1300
drawc1300
semble1389
herd1393
assemblea1400
routa1400
sanka1400
trume?a1400
musterc1425
convene1429
resemblea1450
to draw together1455
forgather1513
accompany1534
troop1565
congregate1570
to get together1575
parliament?1589
accoil1590
join1706
to roll up1817
congressa1850
to round up1879
1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 47 Eueriche broþer & sister..shuln semelyn in a certayne place.
a1400 Guy Warw. (1891) 452 Þer sembled a fair ferred.
c1475 (?c1425) Avowing of King Arthur (1984) l. 1110 Hor lordis sembelet to a syȝte.
c1480 (a1400) St. John Baptist 800 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 246 Þe saraȝenis semlit ilkane.
1497 J. Alcock Mons Perfeccionis (de Worde) C iij Ye people semblid togydre to ouercome vyce.
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) I. 67 Ten thousand men..Syne semlit hes togither on ane da.
4. To meet in conflict; = assemble v.1 6. Also, to make an attack on.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > contend in battle or give battle [verb (intransitive)] > join or meet in battle
to come togetherOE
to lay togetherc1275
smitec1275
to have, keep, make, smite, strike, battle1297
joustc1330
meetc1330
copec1350
assemblea1375
semblea1375
coup?a1400
to fight togethera1400
strikea1400
joinc1400
to join the battle1455
to commit battle?a1475
rencounter1497
to set ina1500
to pitch a battlea1513
concura1522
rescounter1543
scontre1545
journey1572
shock1575
yoke1581
to give in1610
mix1697
to engage a combat1855
to run (or ride) a-tilt1862
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 3811 Þan aswiþe þei sembled to-gader.
?a1400 Morte Arth. 967 Siche sex ware to symple to semble with hyme one.
?a1400 Morte Arth. 3746 Now they..Sembles one the sowdeours, and settys theire dyntys.
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 154 Men may..geve thame the werr felde, outhir lawar or jn a myre, quhare thai may nocht wele semble, na to help thame selff.
1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid viii. Prol. 60 To semble wyth thair schaftis.
5. transitive. To assail, attack; = assemble v.1 7.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (transitive)]
greetc893
overfallOE
riseOE
assail?c1225
to lay on or upon?c1225
onseekc1275
to set on ——c1290
infighta1300
saila1300
to go upon ——c1300
to turn one's handc1325
lashc1330
annoyc1380
impugnc1384
offendc1385
to fall on ——a1387
sault1387
affrayc1390
to set upon ——1390
to fall upon ——a1398
to lay at?a1400
semblea1400
assayc1400
havec1400
aset1413
oppressa1425
attachc1425
to set at ——c1430
fraya1440
fray1465
oppugn?a1475
sayc1475
envaye1477
pursue1488
envahisshe1489
assaulta1500
to lay to, untoa1500
requirea1500
enterprise?1510
invade1513
assemblec1515
expugn1530
to fare on1535
to fall into ——1550
mount1568
attack?1576
affront1579
invest1598
canvass1599
to take arms1604
attempt1605
to make force at, to, upon1607
salute1609
offence1614
strikea1616
to give a lift at1622
to get at ——1650
insult1697
to walk into ——1794
to go in at1812
to go for ——1838
to light on ——1842
strafe1915
a1400–50 Wars Alex. 1333 Þan bowes he to þe baistall & brymly it semblis.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† semblev.2
Obsolete.
1.
a. transitive. To be like, resemble.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > render similar to [verb (transitive)] > be like, resemble, or take after
to bear a resemblance toa1225
semblec1330
resemble1340
to look likec1390
representa1398
belikec1475
assemble1483
express1483
to take after ——1553
figure1567
assimilate1578
besib1596
imitate1601
resemblance1603
respect1604
favour1609
image1726
mirror1820
facsimile1839
turn after ——1848
picture1850
c1330 Arth. & Merl. 8853 (Kölbing) He no sembled no more him oȝan, Þan doþ a child oȝain a man.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 176 Þo þet makeþ zuo greate hornes of hare here..þet hi sembleþ wel fole wyfmen.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 117/1 And to that other she said thou were lyke and semblest wel thy fader.
1631 I. Craven Gods Tribunall 33 Let no man dissemble himselfe out of policy, or semble another in hypocrisie.
1650 J. Bulwer Anthropometamorphosis iii. 61 A broad forehead which in a manner sembles a quadrangle may be somewhat suitable.
1713 Yarhell's Kitchen 2 With..Eyes that darted Fire, And a Proboscis, sembling Sarum's Spire.
b. intransitive. To be like, to have a resemblance to.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > be similar [verb (intransitive)] > resemble or take after
to braid ofc1275
anliken1340
liken1340
semblec1400
showc1425
to draw after ——a1500
to be cast in a (particular) mould1745
assimilate1768
c1400 Rule of St. Benet (prose) 3 Til þe wyis man sembils he þat fundes his hus opon þe stan.
a1450 Knt. de la Tour 125 She sembled not vnto the doughter of a senatour of Rome that had so cruell hert that [etc.].
2.
a. intransitive. To seem, appear.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > have (specific) appearance [verb (intransitive)] > seem
thinkeOE
beseem?c1225
semblec1325
show1340
supposea1393
appeara1425
resemble?a1425
think1425
seem1570
'pear1851
c1325 Metr. Hom. 136 And forthi that Crist tholes this, Ite sembeles that he slepand is.
c1330 Arth. & Merl. 5547 (Kölbing) Ac ȝe semble so wiȝt & fre, Þat ȝe beþ welcome to me.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. YYYiiiiv Than he wyll semble to go with vs to counsayle, and directe vs in our purpose.
b. To be likely to do something.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > be or seem likely [verb (intransitive)] > to do
semblea1400
to make semblant1470
had (also was, were) likely?1503
had like to1548
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9781 If angel had tan mans kind þan war he wayker mad þan ar, þat he suld haue na pouer þar; And sembel lightli for to fall.
3. To assume an appearance, make oneself seem, to pretend. (Very common in Udall's writings.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > have (specific) appearance [verb (intransitive)] > make specific appearance
to make semblantc1230
showc1405
to make (a) countenance1470
countenance1486
to make semblancea1500
semble1542
to give a visage1549
to make resemblance1566
to set a countenance1600
figure1762
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > pretend, dissemble [verb (intransitive)] > to be
semble1542
to figure for1596
to set up for1688
to set up1889
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 128 Diogenes sembleyng to have no greate witte ne knowlage.
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 214v He sembleed & made as though he tooke not indignacion.
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 319 Sembleyng that he graunted his saiyng.
1566 L. Wager Life & Repentaunce Marie Magdalene sig. Giii I pray you do your diligence, And semble rather to loue hym than to hate.
4.
a. transitive. To simulate, feign; absol. to practise simulation.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > pretend, simulate, feign [verb (transitive)]
mitheeOE
bipechec1000
huec1000
feigna1300
unlikena1382
counterfeitc1400
pretend1402
dissimulec1430
dissimule1483
simule?a1500
semble1530
counterfeit1534
dissemblea1538
suppose1566
countenance1590
mock1595
assume1604
to put on1625
assimulate1630
personate1631
to take on1645
simulate1652
forge1752
sham1775
possum1850
to turn on1865
fake1889
1530 W. Tyndale Pract. Prelates sig. Givv Vtterlye appoynted to semble and dissemble, to haue one thinge in the harte and a nother in the mouth.
1537 tr. H. Latimer Serm. to Clergie sig. Cv Al be it they swere..that they knowe not theyr father, nor mother,..as in dede they can semble & dissemble all thynges.
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Eiii/2 To Semble, simulare.
c1570 W. Wager Longer thou Livest (Brandl) 1074 (stage direct.) Semble a goyng out.
1584 R. Wilson Three Ladies of London ii. A iij b Ile tell thee what, thou wilt euen semble and cog with thine own father, A couple of false knaues togither.
1590 Humble Motion with Submission 57 By these couloured offices a man may haue a popish schoole~maister, especially if he can semble a little.
b. intransitive. Used for dissemble v.1
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > pretend, dissemble [verb (intransitive)]
letc1000
faitc1330
counterfeitc1374
dissimulec1374
feignc1400
showc1405
supposea1450
fare1483
simule?a1500
dissemble1523
pretend1526
frame1545
cloakc1572
jouk1573
pretent1582
disguisea1586
devise1600
semble1603
coin1607
insimulate1623
fox1646
sham1787
dissimulate1796
gammon1819
to let on1822
simulate1823
possum1832
simulacrize1845
to put on an act1929
to put on (also up) a show1937
prat1967
1603 T. Dekker et al. Patient Grissill sig. K3v Ow. [a Welshman]. Ian Niclas is honest man, hee does not flatter and sembles, but tell his intentions.
5. To liken, compare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > comparison > compare [verb (transitive)] > liken
bysenc1325
anliken1340
comparison1340
liken1340
figure1393
like?c1425
semblea1440
compare1447
comparagea1450
signifya1470
comparate?a1475
figurate?a1500
resemble1533
patterna1586
symbolize with1605
assimilatec1616
similize1620
symbolize1651
similarize1806
a1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 66/1 Cemelyn' or lykyn' [v.rr. cemlyn, cemblen], assimulo.
1563 J. Shute First Groundes Archit. sig. Eivv Whiche piller for his strength is likned or to be sembled vnto Tuscana.
6. To represent, picture.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > representation > [verb (transitive)]
depaint?c1225
paintc1275
figurec1380
resemblea1393
portraya1398
represent?a1425
impicture1523
portrait1548
shadow1553
to paint forth1558
storize1590
personate1591
limn1593
propound1594
model1604
table1607
semble1610
rendera1616
to paint out1633
person1644
present1649
to figure out1657
historize1668
to fancy out1669
to take off1680
figurate1698
refer1700
display1726
depicture1739
depict1817
actualize1848
1610 G. Fletcher Christs Victorie 38 The azure fields of heau'n wear sembled right In a large round.
1627 W. Sclater Briefe Expos. 2 Thess. (1629) 94 The terrible sound of the last trumpe which Hierome so continually sembled to himselfe, how it made him feare where he was most secure.
1627 W. Sclater Briefe Expos. 2 Thess. (1629) 163 Semble to your selues a Papist prostrate before his breaden God.
1706 M. Prior Ode to Queen xxviii Where sembling Art may carve the fair Effect.
1755 S. Johnson Dict. Eng. Lang. Semble, to represent, to make a likeness.
Derivatives
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [noun]
anlikenessOE
ylikenessOE
likenessa1250
likeliheada1393
resemblancea1393
likeliness?a1425
similitudec1425
semblingc1440
alikenessc1450
assemblance1485
agreement1495
likelihood1495
agreeance1525
analogy1542
simility1543
semblablenessc1550
semblance1576
nearness1577
vicinity1594
simile1604
assimilation1605
consimilitude1610
parity1612
bly1615
similarity1615
connaturality1621
similiancy1622
connaturalnessa1628
reasemblance1638
consimilarity1658
similariness1669
similarness1670
consimility1680
kindredship1733
family likeness1759
family resemblance1785
cognateness1816
feel1892
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 452/2 Semlynge, or lykenesse, assimilacio.
1567 Gude & Godlie B. 235 To thair sembling tak gude sicht, How that thay pas away sa bair.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
semblev.3
/ˈsɛmbl(ə)l/ Law.
impersonal = ‘It seems’; used in judicial utterances to introduce the incidental statement of an opinion on a point of law which it is not necessary to decide authoritatively. In reports abbreviated sem., semb.
ΚΠ
1817 W. Selwyn Abridgem. Law Nisi Prius (ed. 4) II. 1294 And semble, under these circumstances, an eviction might be pleaded to the whole demand.
a1859 J. Austin Lect. Jurispr. (1879) II. 850 It is essential to the character of a real servitude that there should be a ‘prædium serviens’, and a ‘prædium dominans’. Semble that a personal servitude..can hardly exist over a movable.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online June 2018).
<
adj.1449
v.1a1325
v.2c1325v.31817