teem

Teem is defined as to be full of something and ready to burst or to pour.

(verb)

  1. An example of to teem is for a water balloon to be so full of water that it is about to pop.
  2. An example of to teem is to have rain fall on the roof.

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See teem in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb

  1. Obsolete to produce offspring; bear
  2. to be full, as though ready to bring forth young; abound; swarm: a river teeming with fish

Origin: ME temen < OE tieman, to produce, bear < base of team, progeny: see team

transitive verb

to empty; pour out

Origin: ME temen < ON tœma, to empty

intransitive verb

to pour: a teeming rain

See teem in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb teemed, teem·ing, teems
verb, intransitive
  1. To be full of things; abound or swarm: A drop of water teems with microorganisms.
  2. Obsolete To be or become pregnant; bear young.
verb, transitive
Archaic
To give birth to.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English temen, to beget, bear

Origin: , from Old English tīeman, tēman; see deuk- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • teemˈer noun
  • teemˈing·ly adverb

transitive verb teemed, teem·ing, teems
To pour out or empty: teemed the molten ore into a huge mold.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English temen

Origin: , from Old Norse töma

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