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

He noted the "unprecedented scenes outside the Duke of York's Theatre, where hundreds of fans teem behind railings, waiting for a glimpse of Holland as he travels from stage door to his car, waving like royalty".

From BBC

In the northern Pacific Ocean, undersea slopes leading to the Aleutian Trench are believed to teem with worms, clams, anemones, and countless microbes thriving on methane bubbling up from the sediment.

From Science Magazine

Before the holiday, popular markets teem with shoppers buying clothes, shoes, cookies and sweets.

From Seattle Times

Port cities teem with elegant sailing ships, costumes are colorful and pockets of humor and romance leaven the action sequences.

From Seattle Times

Nilin’s streets used to teem with Israelis from nearby towns and settlements seeking cheaper prices for everything from groceries to auto repairs.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

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