Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Seemly

Seem′ly

(sēm′ly̆)
,
Adj.
[
Com
par.
Seemlier
(sēm′lĭ-ẽr)
;
sup
erl.
Seeliest
.]
[Icel.
sæmiligr
, fr.
sæmr
becoming, fit; akin to
samr
same, E.
same
; the sense being properly, the same or like, hence, fitting. See
Seem
,
Verb.
I.
]
Suited to the object, occasion, purpose, or character; suitable; fit; becoming; comely; decorous.
He had a
seemly
nose.
Chaucer.
I am a woman, lacking wit
To make a
seemly
answer to such persons.
Shakespeare
Suspense of judgment and exercise of charity were safer and
seemlier
for Christian men than the hot pursuit of these controversies.
Hooker.
Syn. – Becoming; fit; suitable; proper; appropriate; congruous; meet; decent; decorous.

Seem′ly

(sēm′ly̆)
,
adv.
[
Com
par.
Seemlier
;
sup
erl.
Seemliest
.]
In a decent or suitable manner; becomingly.
Suddenly a men before him stood,
Not rustic as before, but
seemlier
clad,
As one in city or court or place bred.
Milton.

Webster 1828 Edition


Seemly

SEE'MLY

,
Adj.
Becoming; fit; suited to the object, occasion, purpose or character; suitable.
Suspense of judgement and excercise of charity were safer and seemlier for christian men, than the hot pursuit of these controversies. Hooker.
Honor is not seemly for a fool. Prov. 26.

SEE'MLY

,
adv.
In a decent or suitable manner.

Definition 2024


seemly

seemly

English

Adjective

seemly (comparative seemlier, superlative seemliest)

  1. (of behavior) Appropriate; suited to the occasion or purpose; becoming.
    His behavior was seemly, as befits a gentleman.
    • Shakespeare
      I am a woman, lacking wit / To make a seemly answer to such persons.
    • Hooker
      Suspense of judgment and exercise of charity were safer and seemlier for Christian men than the hot pursuit of these controversies.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Adverb

seemly (comparative more seemly, superlative most seemly)

  1. Appropriately, fittingly.
    • 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, II.i:
      The great earthes wombe they open to the sky, / And with sad Cypresse seemely it embraue [...].