Middle English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

Either borrowed from or a calque of Old Norse sœmiligr (seemly); equivalent to semen (to seem) +‎ -ly (adjectival suffix).

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈsɛːm(i)liː/, /ˈsɛm(b)liː/, /-lit͡ʃ/, /-lik/

Adjective edit

semly

  1. Attractive, beautiful; aesthetically appealing.
  2. Right, appropriate, suited; good for a purpose.
  3. Seemly, becoming; following acceptable behaviour.
    Synonym: curteis
  4. Noble, valorous, good; having good morals.
  5. Likely; having a good chance of happening.
  6. (rare) Ostensible, surface-level.

Derived terms edit

Descendants edit

  • English: seemly
  • Scots: seemly

Adverb edit

semly

  1. Attractively, beautifully; in a aesthetically appealing way.
  2. Adeptly, suitably, right; in the right or best way.
  3. Gracefully, becomingly; in a nice or courteous way.
    Synonym: curteisly
  4. Nobly, reverently, respectfully; in a noble way.

Descendants edit

References edit