teem

¹

[ teem ]

verb (used without object)

1. to abound or swarm; be prolific or fertile (usually followed by with ).

   Synonyms: bristle, overrun, brim, overflow

2. Obsolete. to be or become pregnant; bring forth young.

verb (used with object)

1. Obsolete. to produce (offspring).

teem

²

[ teem ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to empty or pour out; discharge.

teem

¹

/ tiːm /

verb

1. intrusually foll bywith to be prolific or abundant (in); abound (in)
2. obsolete.
   to bring forth (young)

teem

²

/ tiːm /

verb

1. intr; often foll by down or with rain to pour in torrents

   it's teeming down

2. tr to pour or empty out

Derived Forms

• ˈteemer, noun

Other Words From

• teemer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of teem¹

before 900; Middle English temen, Old English tēman, tīeman to produce (offspring), derivative of tēam team

Origin of teem²

1250–1300; Middle English temen < Old Norse tæma to empty, derivative of tōmr empty, cognate with Old English tōm free from

Word History and Origins

Origin of teem¹

Old English tēman to produce offspring; related to West Saxon tīeman; see team

Origin of teem²

C15 temen to empty, from Old Norse tœma; related to Old English tōm, Old High German zuomīg empty

Example Sentences

"Our study demonstrates the potential of tree islands to transform biodiversity-poor agricultural lands into ecosystems teeming with biodiversity and native plants."

From Science Daily

At a time when capitulating to the mainstream was regarded as selling out, R.E.M.’s move to a major label stung, as if the band had sloughed off its loyalists for the teeming masses.

From Los Angeles Times

As the co-founder of a small venture capital firm, Farrell has been particularly critical of Breed’s handling of San Francisco’s post-COVID economy and the hallowed-out downtown once teeming with tourists and workers.

From Los Angeles Times

Unlike dozens of feral cats found dead on farms with outbreaks, these domestic cats didn’t roam around herds, lapping up milk that teemed with virus.

From Salon

“Religious America is awakening, perhaps just in time for our country’s sake,” Reagan told a teeming crowd of evangelical voters in August 1980.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• brim
• bustle
• crawl
• overflow
• overrun
• swarm
• swell