Where does “seem” come from?

Seem comes from Middle English semen, from Latin semen meaning seed, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots relating to sowing and growth.

seem (English): To appear; to look outwardly; to be perceived as;...

Definitions

  1. To appear; to look outwardly; to be perceived as;...

Ancestry of “seem”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishsemento seem
2Old Norsesœmato honour, be content, beseem; to conform to,...
3Proto-Germanicsōmijanąto fit, unite, make one
4Proto-Indo-Europeansem-together, one

Words derived from “seem

Every word from Proto-Indo-European sem-Every word from Proto-Germanic sōmijanąEvery word from Old Norse sœma
seem — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer