The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
Chapter 1509
See , v. i. 1. To have the power of sight, or of perceiving by the proper organs; to possess or employ the sense of vision; as, he sees distinctly .
Whereas I was blind, now I see . John ix. 25.
2. Figuratively: To have intellectual apprehension; to perceive; to know; to understand; to discern; -- often followed by a preposition, as through , or into .
For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see ; and that they which see might be made blind. John ix. 39.
Many sagacious persons will find us out, . . . and see through all our fine pretensions. Tillotson.
3. To be attentive; to take care; to give heed; -- generally with to ; as, to see to the house .
See that ye fall not out by the way. Gen. xiv. 24.
&hand; Let me see , Let us see , are used to express consideration, or to introduce the particular consideration of a subject, or some scheme or calculation.
Cassio's a proper man, let me see now, - To get his place. Shak.
&hand; See is sometimes used in the imperative for look , or behold . " See . see ! upon the banks of Boyne he stands."
Halifax.
To see about a thing , to pay attention to it; to consider it. -- To see on , to look at. [Obs.] "She was full more blissful on to see ." Chaucer . -- To see to . (a) To look at; to behold; to view . [Obs.] "An altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to " Josh. xxii. 10 . (b) To take care about; to look after; as, to see to a fire .
Seed <Xpage=1303>
Seed (?) , n. ; pl. Seed or Seeds (#) . [OE. seed , sed , AS. s<?/d , fr. s\'bewan to sow; akin to D. zaad seed, G. saat , Icel. s\'be<?/ , s<?/<?/i , Goth. mana s<?/ps seed of men. world. See Sow to scatter seed, and cf. Colza .] 1. (Bot.) (a) A ripened ovule, consisting of an embryo with one or more integuments, or coverings; as, an apple seed ; a currant seed . By germination it produces a new plant. (b) Any small seedlike fruit, though it may consist of a pericarp, or even a calyx, as well as the seed proper; as, parsnip seed ; thistle seed .
And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed , and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself. Gen. i. 11.
&hand; The seed proper has an outer and an inner coat, and within these the kernel or nucleus. The kernel is either the embryo alone, or the embryo inclosed in the albumen, which is the material for the nourishment of the developing embryo. The scar on a seed, left where the stem parted from it, is called the hilum , and the closed orifice of the ovule, the micropyle .
2. (Physiol.) The generative fluid of the male; semen; sperm; -- not used in the plural.
3. That from which anything springs; first principle; original; source; as, the seeds of virtue or vice .
4. The principle of production.
Praise of great acts he scatters as a seed , Which may the like in coming ages breed . Waller.
5. Progeny; offspring; children; descendants; as, the seed of Abraham; the seed of David .
&hand; In this sense the word is applied to one person, or to any number collectively, and admits of the plural form, though rarely used in the plural.
6. Race; generation; birth.
Of mortal seed they were not held. Waller.
Seed bag (Artesian well) , a packing to prevent percolation of water down the bore hole. It consists of a bag encircling the tubing and filled with flax seed, which swells when wet and fills the space between the tubing and the sides of the hole. -- Seed bud (Bot.) , the germ or rudiment of the plant in the embryo state; the ovule. -- Seed coat (Bot.) , the covering of a seed. -- Seed corn , ∨ Seed grain (Bot.) , corn or grain for seed. -- Seed down (Bot.) , the soft hairs on certain seeds, as cotton seed. -- Seed drill . See 6th Drill , 2 (a) . -- Seed eater (Zo\'94l.) , any finch of the genera Sporophila , and Crithagra . They feed mainly on seeds. -- Seed gall (Zo\'94l.) , any gall which resembles a seed, formed, on the leaves of various plants, usually by some species of Phylloxera. -- Seed leaf (Bot.) , a cotyledon. -- Seed lobe (Bot.) , a cotyledon; a seed leaf. -- Seed oil , oil expressed from the seeds of plants. -- Seed oyster , a young oyster, especially when of a size suitable for transplantation to a new locality. -- Seed pearl , a small pearl of little value. -- Seed plat , ∨ Seed plot , the ground on which seeds are sown, to produce plants for transplanting; a nursery. -- Seed stalk (Bot.) , the stalk of an ovule or seed; a funicle. -- Seed tick (Zo\'94l.) , one of several species of ticks resembling seeds in form and color. -- Seed vessel (Bot.) , that part of a plant which contains the seeds; a pericarp. -- Seed weevil (Zo\'94l.) , any one of numerous small weevels, especially those of the genus Apion , which live in the seeds of various plants. -- Seed wool , cotton wool not yet cleansed of its seeds. [Southern U.S.]
Seed <Xpage=1303>
Seed , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Seeded ; p. pr. & vb. n. Seeding .] 1. To sprinkle with seed; to plant seeds in; to sow; as, to seed a field .
2. To cover thinly with something scattered; to ornament with seedlike decorations.
A sable mantle seeded with waking eyes. B. Jonson.
To seed down , to sow with grass seed.
Seedbox <Xpage=1303>
Seed"box` (?) , n. (Bot.) (a) A capsule. (b) A plant ( Ludwigia alternifolia ) which has somewhat cubical or box-shaped capsules.
Seedcake <Xpage=1303>
Seed"cake` (?) , n. A sweet cake or cooky containing aromatic seeds, as caraway.
Tusser.
Seedcod <Xpage=1303>
Seed"cod` (?) , n. A seedlip. [Prov. Eng.]
Seeder <Xpage=1303>
Seed"er (?) , n. One who, or that which, sows or plants seed.
Seediness <Xpage=1303>
Seed`i*ness (?) , n. The quality or state of being seedy, shabby, or worn out; a state of wretchedness or exhaustion. [Colloq.]
G. Eliot.
What is called seedness , after a debauch, is a plain proof that nature has been outraged. J. S. Blackie.
Seed-lac <Xpage=1303>
Seed"-lac` (?) , n. A species of lac. See the Note under Lac .
Seedless <Xpage=1303>
Seed"less , a. Without seed or seeds.
Seedling <Xpage=1303>
Seed"ling (?) , n. (Bot.) A plant reared from the seed, as distinguished from one propagated by layers, buds, or the like.
Seedlip, Seedlop <Xpage=1303>
Seed"lip` (?) , Seed"lop` (?) , n. [AS. s<?/dle\'a0p ; s<?/d seed + le\'a0p basket.] A vessel in which a sower carries the seed to be scattered. [Prov. Eng.]
Seedman <Xpage=1303>
Seed"man (?) , See Seedsman .
Seedness <Xpage=1303>
Seed"ness , n. Seedtime. [Obs.]
Shak.
Seedsman <Xpage=1303>
Seeds"man (?) , n. ; pl. Seedsmen (<?/) . 1. A sower; one who sows or scatters seed.
The seedsman Upon the slime and ooze scatters his grain. Shak.
2. A person who deals in seeds.
Seedtime <Xpage=1303>
Seed"time` (?) , n. [AS. s<?/d\'c6ma .] The season proper for sowing.
While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, shall not cease. Gen. viii. 22.
Seedy <Xpage=1303>
Seed"y (?) , a. [ Compar. Seedier (?) ; superl. Seediest .] 1. Abounding with seeds; bearing seeds; having run to seeds.
2. Having a peculiar flavor supposed to be derived from the weeds growing among the vines; -- said of certain kinds of FRench brandy.
3. Old and worn out; exhausted; spiritless; also, poor and miserable looking; shabily clothed; shabby looking; as, he looked seedy coat . [Colloq.]
Little Flanigan here . . . is a little seedy , as we say among us that practice the law.
Goldsmith.
Seedy toe , an affection of a horse's foot, in which a cavity filled with horn powder is formed between the lamin\'91 and the wall of the hoof.
Seeing <Xpage=1303>
See"ing (?) , conj. (but originally a present participle ). In view of the fact (that); considering; taking into account (that); insmuch as; since; because; -- followed by a dependent clause; as, he did well, seeing that he was so young .
Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me? Gen. xxvi. 27.
Seek <Xpage=1303>
Seek (?) , a. Sick. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Seek <Xpage=1303>
Seek , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Sought (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Seeking .] [OE, seken , AS. s<?/can , s<?/cean ; akin to OS. s<?/kian , LG. s\'94ken , D. zoeken , OHG. suohhan , G. suchen , Icel. s<?/kja , Sw. s\'94ka , Dan. s\'94ge , Goth. s<?/kjan , and E. sake . Cf. Beseech , Ransack , Sagacious , Sake , Soc .] 1. To go in search of; to look for; to search for; to try to find.
The man saked him, saying, What seekest thou? And he said, I seek my brethren. Gen. xxxvii. 15,16.
2. To inquire for; to ask for; to solicit; to bessech.
Others, tempting him, sought of him a sign. Luke xi. 16.
3. To try to acquire or gain; to strive after; to aim at; as, to seek wealth or fame; to seek one's life .
4. To try to reach or come to; to go to; to resort to.
Seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal. Amos v. 5.
Since great Ulysses sought the Phrygian plains. Pope.
Seek <Xpage=1303>
Seek (?) , v. i. To make search or inquiry: to endeavor to make discovery.
Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read. Isa. xxxiv. 16.
To seek , needing to seek or search; hence, unpreparated. "Unpracticed, unpreparated, and still to seek ." Milton . [Obs] -- To seek after , to make pursuit of; to attempt to find or take. -- To seek for , to endeavor to find. -- To seek to , to apply to; to resort to; to court. [Obs.] "All the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom." 1. Kings x. 24 . -- To seek upon , to make strict inquiry after; to follow up; to persecute. [Obs.]
To seek Upon a man and do his soul unrest. Chaucer.
Seeker <Xpage=1303>
Seek"er (?) , n. 1. One who seeks; that which is used in seeking or searching.
2. (Eccl.) One of a small heterogeneous sect of the 17th century, in Great Britain, who professed to be seeking the true church, ministry, and sacraments.
A skeptic [is] ever seeking and never finds, like our new upstart sect of Seekers . Bullokar.
Seek-no-further <Xpage=1303>
Seek"-no-fur`ther (?) , n. A kind of choice winter apple, having a subacid taste; -- formerly called go-no-further .
Seek-sorrow <Xpage=1303>
Seek"-sor`row (?) , n. One who contrives to give himself vexation. [Archaic.]
Sir P. Sidney.
Seel <Xpage=1303>
Seel (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Seeled (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Seeling .] [F. siller , ciller , fr. cil an eyelash, L. cilium .] 1. (Falconry) To close the eyes of (a hawk or other bird) by drawing through the lids threads which were fastened over the head.
Bacon.
Fools climbs to fall: fond hopes, like seeled doves for want of better light, mount till they end their flight with falling. J. Reading.
2. Hence, to shut or close, as the eyes; to blind.
Come, seeling night, Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day. Shak.
Gold death, with a violent fate, his sable eyes did seel . Chapman.
Seel <Xpage=1303>
Seel , v. i. [Cf. LG. sielen to lead off water, F. siller to run ahead, to make headway, E. sile , v.t.] To incline to one side; to lean; to roll, as a ship at sea. [Obs.]
Sir W. Raleigh.
Seel, Seeling <Xpage=1303>
Seel (?) , Seel"ing , n. The rolling or agitation of a ship in a sterm. [Obs.]
Sandys.
Seel <Xpage=1303>
Seel , n. [AS. s<?/l , from s<?/l good, prosperous. See Silly .] 1. Good fortune; favorable opportunity; prosperity. [Obs.] "So have I seel ".
Chaucer.
2. Time; season; as, hay seel . [Prov. Eng.]
Seelily <Xpage=1303>
Seel"i*ly (?) , adv. In a silly manner. [Obs.]
Seely <Xpage=1303>
Seel"y (?) , a. See Silly . [Obs.]
Spenser.
Seem <Xpage=1303>
Seem (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Seemed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Seeming .] [OE. semen to seem, to become, befit, AS. s<?/man to satisfy, pacify; akin to Icel. s<?/ma to honor, to bear with, conform to, s<?/mr becoming, fit, s<?/ma to beseem, to befit, sama to beseem, semja to arrange, settle, put right, Goth. samjan to please, and to E. same . The sense is probably due to the adj. seemly . &root;191. See Same , a. , and cf. Seemly .] To appear, or to appear to be; to have a show or semblance; to present an appearance; to look; to strike one's apprehension or fancy as being; to be taken as. "It now seemed probable."
Macaulay.
Thou picture of what thou seem'st . Shak.
All seemed well pleased; all seemed , but were not all. Milton.
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death. Prov. xiv. 12.
It seems , it appears; it is understood as true; it is said.
A prince of Italy, it seems , entertained his misstress on a great lake. Addison.
Syn. -- To appear; look. -- Seem , Appear . To appear has reference to a thing's being presented to our view; as, the sun appears ; to seem is connected with the idea of semblance , and usually implies an inference of our mind as to the probability of a thing's being so; as, a storm seems to be coming. "The story appears to be true," means that the facts, as presented, go to show its truth; "the story seems to be true," means that it has the semblance of being so, and we infer that it is true. "His first and principal care being to appear unto his people such as he would have them be, and to be such as he appeared ." Sir P. Sidney.
Ham. Ay, madam, it is common. Queen . If it be, Why seems it so particular with thee? Ham. Seems , madam! Nay, it is; I know not " seems ." Shak.
Seem <Xpage=1303>
Seem , v. t. To befit; to beseem. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Seemer <Xpage=1303>
Seem"er (?) , n. One who seems; one who carries or assumes an appearance or semblance.
Hence shall we see, If power change purpose, what our seemers be. Shak.
Seeming <Xpage=1303>
Seem"ing , a. Having a semblance, whether with or without reality; apparent; specious; befitting; as, seeming friendship; seeming truth .
My lord, you have lost a friend indeed; And I dare swear you borrow not that face Of seeming sorrow, it is sure your own. Shak.
Seeming <Xpage=1303>
Seem"ing , n. 1. Appearance; show; semblance; fair appearance; speciousness.
These keep Seeming and savor all the winter long. Shak.
2. Apprehension; judgment. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Nothing more clear unto their seeming . Hooker.
His persuasive words, impregned With reason, to her seeming . Milton.
Seemingly <Xpage=1303>
Seem"ing*ly , adv. In appearance; in show; in semblance; apparently; ostensibly.
This the father seemingly complied with. Addison.
Seemingness <Xpage=1303>
Seem"ing*ness , n. Semblance; fair appearance; plausibility.
Sir K. Digby.
Seemless <Xpage=1303>
Seem"less , a. Unseemly. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Seemlily <Xpage=1303>
Seem"li*ly (?) , adv. In a seemly manner. [Obs.]
Seemliness <Xpage=1303>
Seem"li*ness , n. The quality or state of being seemly: comeliness; propriety.
<page="1304"> Page 1304
Seemly <Xpage=1304>
Seem"ly (?) , a. [ Compar. Seemlier (<?/) ; superl. Seeliest .] [Icel. s<?/miligr , fr. s<?/mr becoming, fit; akin to samr same, E. same ; the sense being properly, the same or like, hence, fitting. See Seem , v. 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. Shak.
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.
Seemly <Xpage=1304>
Seem"ly (?) , adv. [ Compar. Seemlier ; superl. 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.
Seemlyhed <Xpage=1304>
Seem"ly*hed (?) , n. [See -hood .] Comely or decent appearance. [Obs.]
Rom. of R. Spenser.
Seen <Xpage=1304>
Seen (?) , p. p. of See .
Seen <Xpage=1304>
Seen , a. Versed; skilled; accomplished. [Obs.]
Well seen in every science that mote be. Spenser.
Noble Boyle, not less in nature seen , Than his great brother read in states and men. Dryden.
Seep, ∨ Sipe <Xpage=1304>
Seep (?) , ∨ Sipe (?) , v. i. [AS. s\'c6pan to distill.] To run or soak through fine pores and interstices; to ooze. [Scot. & U. S.]
Water seeps up through the sidewalks. G. W. Cable.
Seepage, ∨ Sipage <Xpage=1304>
Seep"age (?) , ∨ Sip"age , n. Water that seeped or oozed through a porous soil. [Scot. & U. S.]
Seepy, ∨ Sipy <Xpage=1304>