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teem
1[ teem ]
/ tim /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used without object)
to abound or swarm; be prolific or fertile (usually followed by with).
Obsolete. to be or become pregnant; bring forth young.
verb (used with object)
Obsolete. to produce (offspring).
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Origin of teem
1before 900; Middle English temen,Old English tēman, tīeman to produce (offspring), derivative of tēamteam
OTHER WORDS FROM teem
teemer, nounWords nearby teem
Other definitions for teem (2 of 2)
teem2
[ teem ]
/ tim /
verb (used with or without object)
to empty or pour out; discharge.
Origin of teem
21250–1300; Middle English temen<Old Norse tæma to empty, derivative of tōmr empty, cognate with Old English tōm free from
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use teem in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for teem (1 of 2)
teem1
/ (tiːm) /
verb
(intr usually foll by with) to be prolific or abundant (in); abound (in)
obsolete to bring forth (young)
Word Origin for teem
Old English tēman to produce offspring; related to West Saxon tīeman; see team
British Dictionary definitions for teem (2 of 2)
teem2
/ (tiːm) /
verb
(intr; often foll by down or with rain) to pour in torrentsit's teeming down
(tr) to pour or empty out
Derived forms of teem
teemer, nounWord Origin for teem
C15 temen to empty, from Old Norse tœma; related to Old English tōm, Old High German zuomīg empty
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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