semblable

English

Etymology

From Middle English [Term?], from Middle French [Term?], from Old French sembler (“to be like”) + -able.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈsɛmbləbəl/

Adjective

semblable (comparative more semblable, superlative most semblable)

1. (obsolete) similar
2. (obsolete) apparent
3. (obsolete) conformable

Derived terms

• semblability
• semblance

Noun

semblable (plural semblables)

1. (obsolete) something similar; likeness; representation
   • c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii], lines 115-120:

     […] but in the verity of extolment, I take him to be a soul
     of great article, and his infusion of such dearth and rareness
     as, to make true diction of him, his semblable is his
     mirror, and who else would trace him his umbrage,
     nothing more.

French

Etymology

From sembler +‎ -able.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /sɑ̃.blabl/

• Audio:

  (file)

Adjective

semblable (plural semblables)

1. similar

   Synonym: similaire

   Cette maison est assez semblable.

   This house is quite similar.

Derived terms

• semblablement
• vraisemblable

Noun

semblable m or f by sense (plural semblables)

1. (usually in the plural) something or someone that belongs to the same kind or species

   Il prenait soin de ses semblables.

   He cared for his kind.

Further reading

• “semblable”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.