enseam

1 of 3

verb

en·​seam
ə̇nˈsēm,
en-

transitive verb

archaic : to free (as a hawk or horse) of superfluous fat : bring into hard condition

intransitive verb

obsolete, of a hawk : to lose excess weight : come into condition

enseam

2 of 3

transitive verb (1)

"
archaic
: to fill or cover with grease
usually used as past participle

enseam

3 of 3

transitive verb (2)

"
: to mark (as a person) with or as if with seams
an old tomcat, his ears enseamed with scars

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English enseymen, alteration of Middle French essaimer, from es- (from Latin ex-) + saim fat, grease, from Medieval Latin sagimen, from Latin sagina food, stuffing, fatness

Transitive verb (1)

Middle French ensaimer, from en- en- entry 1 + saim fat

Transitive verb (2)

en- entry 1 + seam (noun)

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near enseam

Cite this Entry

“Enseam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enseam. Accessed 2 May. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!