catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Seam \Seam\, v. i.
     To become ridgy; to crack open.
  
           Later their lips began to parch and seam. --L. Wallace.

  Seam \Seam\, n. [AS. se['a]m, LL. sauma, L. sagma a packsaddle,
     fr. Gr. ?. See Sumpter.]
     A denomination of weight or measure. Specifically:
     (a) The quantity of eight bushels of grain. ``A seam of
         oats.'' --P. Plowman.
     (b) The quantity of 120 pounds of glass. [Eng.]

  Seam \Seam\ (s[=e]m), n. [See Saim.]
     Grease; tallow; lard. [Obs. or prov. Eng.] --Shak. Dryden.

  Seam \Seam\, n. [OE. seem, seam, AS. se['a]m; akin to D. zoom,
     OHG. soum, G. saum, LG. soom, Icel. saumr, Sw. & Dan. s["o]m,
     and E. sew. [root] 156. See Sew to fasten with thread.]
     1. The fold or line formed by sewing together two pieces of
        cloth or leather.
  
     2. Hence, a line of junction; a joint; a suture, as on a
        ship, a floor, or other structure; the line of union, or
        joint, of two boards, planks, metal plates, etc.
  
              Precepts should be so finely wrought together . . .
              that no coarse seam may discover where they join.
                                                    --Addison.
  
     3. (Geol. & Mining) A thin layer or stratum; a narrow vein
        between two thicker strata; as, a seam of coal.
  
     4. A line or depression left by a cut or wound; a scar; a
        cicatrix.
  
     Seam blast, a blast by putting the powder into seams or
        cracks of rocks.
  
     Seam lace, a lace used by carriage makers to cover seams
        and edges; -- called also seaming lace.
  
     Seam presser. (Agric.)
        (a) A heavy roller to press down newly plowed furrows.
        (b) A tailor's sadiron for pressing seams. --Knight.
  
     Seam set, a set for flattering the seams of metal sheets,
        leather work, etc.

  Seam \Seam\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Seamed; p. pr. & vb. n.
     Seaming.]
     1. To form a seam upon or of; to join by sewing together; to
        unite.
  
     2. To mark with something resembling a seam; to line; to
        scar.
  
              Seamed o'?r with wounds which his own saber gave.
                                                    --Pope.
  
     3. To make the appearance of a seam in, as in knitting a
        stocking; hence, to knit with a certain stitch, like that
        in such knitting.