The words "were seemly" are spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription of /wɜːr ˈsiːmli/. The word "were" is the past tense of the verb "to be" and is pronounced with a long vowel sound followed by the consonant /r/. The word "seemly" means appropriate or fitting and is pronounced with a long vowel sound followed by the consonant /m/ and /li/. "Were seemly," therefore, means "were appropriate" or "were fitting." This phrase is often used in literature or poetry to describe a character or situation.
The phrase "were seemly" refers to a state or quality of being appropriate, fitting, or suitable in appearance or conduct. It is an expression that combines the verb "were," indicating past tense, with the adjective "seemly," which relates to actions or appearances that conform to social standards or etiquette.
"Seemly" generally denotes behavior and appearance that is considered proper, decorous, respectful, or becoming in a given context. When used in the past tense, as in "were seemly," it signifies that something was, or appeared to be, fitting or appropriate at a certain point in time. It suggests that the subject's actions or appearance were appropriate or in line with what was expected or desired.
This term can be used to describe various situations, such as a person's conduct during a formal event, their attire at a particular gathering, or the general demeanor of a group or individual in a specific setting. It implies that one's actions or appearance were in alignment with the social norms or expectations relevant to the circumstances at hand.
"Were seemly" signifies a state of appropriateness or suitability and implies that the subject's behavior or appearance was in harmony with the prevailing standards or customs, reflecting a sense of dignity, tact, or refinement.
The phrase "were seemly" is actually a combination of two separate words with different etymologies: "were" and "seemly".
1. "Were" is the past tense of the verb "be" in Middle English, derived from Old English "wǣron" or "wǣre". It has Germanic origins and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "wǣron", meaning "they were".
2. "Seemly" originated from the Old English word "sēmlic", which means "fitting" or "appropriate". It comes from the Proto-Germanic root "*sōm-", related to the Old Norse word "sǣma" and Old High German "sāmo", both meaning "seemly" or "becoming".
When used together, "were seemly" means "were fitting" or "were appropriate".