Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SEEM, v., n. Also †seim. Sc. usages:

I. v. To look becoming in (a piece of dress) (Dmf. 1920; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); of dress: to become, suit (Sh. 1969).

II. n. Outward appearance or semblance, image, aspect, show (s.Sc. 1802 J. Sibbald Chron. Sc. Poetry Gl.). Arch. Obs. in Eng. exc. dial.Sc. 1724 Ramsay T.-T. Misc. (1876) I. 233:
His seim in thrang of fiercest stryfe.s.Sc. 1837 Wilson's Tales of the Borders III. 131:
There comes slowly, as if frae the womb o' a cloud o' mountain mist, the seim o' a turreted abbey.Sc. 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ ii. vii.:
Ye'se sune be begunkit, gin ye regaird allenarlie the ootrin seim o' men.