seam

 
Pronunciation: /siːm/

noun

  • 1a line where two pieces of fabric are sewn together in a garment or other article.
  • a line where the edges of two pieces of wood, wallpaper, or another material touch each other: the task involved clamping the panels into position and arc welding a seam to join them
  • a long thin indentation or scar: the track cleaves a seam through corn
  • 2an underground layer of a mineral such as coal or gold: the buried forests became seams of coal
  • a supply of something valuable: Sunderland have a rich seam of experienced players
  • a trace or presence of something: there is a seam of despondency in Stipe’s words

verb

  • 1join with a seam: it can be used for seaming garments
  • 2 (usually as adjective seamed) make a long, narrow indentation in: men in middle age have seamed faces

Phrases

bursting (or bulging) at the seams

informal (of a place or building) full to overflowing: because the hotel was bursting at the seams everyone had to double up

come (or fall) apart at the seams

informal (of a person or system) be in a very poor condition and near to collapse: the attitude of the airport guard was symptomatic of a system falling apart at the seams

Origin:

Old English sēam, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zoom and German Saum