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seek
moment. | We're going to see grandma in hospital tomorrow. | 'See you later, Pete.' 'Yes, see you/be seeing you.' (=good-bye) 11 [T+obj+adv/prep] to go with; ACCOMPANY: Someone ought to see the children safely home. | I'll see you to the door. 12 [T] (of a place or period) to have (an event or set of events) happen in or during it: The fifth century saw the end of the Roman Empire in the West. (=that was when it ended) | This year has seen a big increase in road accidents. 13 [T] (in the card game of POKER) to answer (an opponent) by risking an equal amount of money 14 let me see (used to express a pause for thought): 'Do you recognize this music?' 'Let me see ... Yes, now I do.' 15 not see beyond the end of one's nose infml to think that one's own affairs are the only ones that matter 16 not see someone for dust BrE infml to be unable to see someone because they have left in a great hurry: If he hears there's work to be done, you won't see him for dust! 17 not see the wood BrE || forest AmE for the trees infml to fail to understand something clearly or completely because of giving too much attention to small details 18 see eye to eye (with) to agree completely (with); have the same opinion (as): He and his brother always see eye to eye. 19 Seeing is believing infml (used for expressing disbelief in something that cannot be believed until one has actually seen it) 20 see one's way (clear) to especially BrE to be able or willing to (especially lend money): I was wondering if you could see your way to lending me £50. 21 see red to become very angry 22 see someone right old-fash infml to make sure that someone is properly rewarded 23 see stars to see flashes of light, especially as the result of being hit on the head 24 see the back/last of infml to have no further association with (something or someone), especially because it has finished or because they have gone: I haven't enjoyed dealing with this company and I'll be glad to see the back of them! 25 see the colour of someone's money infml to be shown proof that someone is willing or able to pay 26 see the light a) to understand or accept an idea or the truth of something b) to have a religious experience which changes one's belief c) infml to come into existence: This suggestion first saw the light (of day) as early as 1935. 27 see things infml to think that one sees something when there is nothing there: I must be seeing things (=I cannot believe what I have seen); they can't have bought another new car! -> see also hear things (HEAR) 28 you see a) (used in explanations): 'Why are you so late?' 'Well, you see, the bus broke down.' b) (used for softening a following statement): You see, there's another side to what you've been saying ...
1 Compare see, look at, and watch. To see is to experience with the eyes, and it does not depend on what you want to do. In this meaning, you say Can you see anything? but not Are you seeing anything? When you use your eyes on purpose and with attention you look at something: Stop looking at me like that! To watch is to look for some time at something that may move: you watch television or a football match. 2 Compare I saw him cross the road (=I saw the whole journey from one side to the other) and I saw him crossing the road (=I saw him at a moment when he was in the middle). Feel, hear, and watch can also be used in these two ways. -> see also CAN (USAGE)
see about sthg. phr v [T] 1 to make arrangements for; deal with: [+obj/v-ing] It's time for me to see about dinner/to see about cooking dinner. 2 to consider further: 'Dad, will you take us to the football match tomorrow?' 'Well, I'll (have to) see about that.' (=perhaps I will take you) 3 We'll (soon) see about that! infml I will prevent that from happening or continuing!
see sthg. in sbdy./sthg. phr v [T usually in questions and negatives] to find attractive in: I don't know why she married that awful man; I can't think what she sees in him.
see sthg. of sbdy. phr v [T] to see or be with (someone) to the stated degree: Where's Dave? I've seen nothing of him (=have not seen him) all week. | They're good friends and see a lot of each other. (=are together a lot)
see sbdy./sthg. off phr v [T] 1 [(at)] to go to an airport, station etc, with (someone who is beginning a journey): He saw his friend off at the bus station. 2 a) to chase away: Her dog saw off the two thieves. b) to remain firm and undefeated until (something or someone dangerous) stops being active: Our troops saw off three enemy attacks within three days.
see sbdy./sthg. out phr v [T] 1 to last until the end of: Will our supplies see the winter out? 2 to go to the door with (someone who is leaving): Don't worry; I'll see myself out. (=so you need not do so)
see round/over sthg. phr v [T] to visit and examine: Would you like to see round the old castle?
see through phr v [T] 1 (see through sthg./sbdy.) to recognize the truth about (an excuse, false statement, deceiving person etc); not be deceived by: She knew him well enough to see through his laughter and realize he was upset about what had happened. 2 (see sbdy. through (sthg.)) to provide things for, support, or help until the end of (a time or difficulty): He had just enough money to see him through (a year abroad).
see to sthg./sbdy. phr v [T] to deal with or take care of: You ought to have your eyes seen to by a doctor. | Will you see to the children? | Will you see to it that (=make sure that) this letter gets posted today?
seed¹ /si:d/ n 1 [C;U] a usually small hard object produced by most plants, from which a new plant of the same kind can grow, and which is used for planting: poppy seeds | a large bag of grass seed | a seedpod | (fig.) The government's repressive policies are sowing the seeds of (=may lead to) rebellion. | (fig.) His reaction planted the seeds of doubt in her mind. -> see picture at FRUIT 2 [C] AmE for PIP 3 [C] a seeded (SEED) player in a competition: the top seed at Wimbledon 4 [U] bibl everyone who is descended from a particular person, especially considered as forming a particular race: According to the Bible we are all the seed of Adam. 5 go/run to seed a) (of a plant) to produce seed, having passed the time when flowers are produced b) infml (of a person) to become unattractive and unhealthy-looking, especially by becoming lazy, careless, or old ——less adj: a seedless orange
seed² v 1 [I] (of a plant) to produce seeds 2 [T(with) often pass.] to plant seeds in (a piece of ground) 3 [T] to remove seeds from (fruit) 4 [T(with)] to cause to be filled or scattered with something that develops or produces a result: We seeded the clouds with chemicals to make them produce rain. -> see also CLOUD SEEDING 5 [T usually pass.] to place (especially a tennis player at the start of a competition) in order of likelihood to win: seeded players | She was seeded fourth at Wimbledon. (=was officially considered the fourth best player) -> see also UNSEEDED
seed³ adj [A] kept for planting: seed potatoes/corn
seed-bed /'si:dbed/ n 1 an area of ground, usually specially prepared, where seeds are planted 2 [(of)] a place or condition favourable for development, especially of something bad: the city's slums were a seedbed of rebellion
seed-corn /'si:dkɔ:n||-kɔ:rn/ n [U] 1 corn of good quality that is used for planting 2 something that is of great value because it can be used for future developments
seed-ling /'si:dlɪŋ/ n a young plant grown from a seed and not from a part cut off another plant
'seed ,money also 'seed ,capital n [U] the money you have available to start a new business
'seed ,pearl n a very small and often imperfect PEARL -> see also PEARL
seeds-man /'si:dzmən/ n pl. -men /mən/ a grower and seller of seeds, especially for flowers and vegetables
seed-y /'si:di/ adj infml 1 derog having a poor, dirty, uncared for, worn-out appearance: a rather seedy and unpleasant part of town 2 old-fash infml slightly unwell and/or in low spirits: I've been feeling a bit seedy for the last couple of days.
——iness n [U]
see-ing /'si:ɪŋ/ also 'seeing that, 'seeing as infml, 'see-ing as how nonstandard— conj as it is true that; considering the fact that; SINCE: Seeing (that) she's legally old enough to get married, I don't see how you can stop her.
,seeing 'eye ,dog AmE for GUIDE DOG
seek /si:k/ v sought /sɔ:t/ 1 [{after, for);T(OUT)] fml or lit to make a search (for); try to find or get (something): We are earnestly seeking after the truth. | The travellers sought shelter from the rain. | Will the president seek re-election at the end of his term of office? | He sought out his friend in the crowd. 2 [T] fml to ask for; go to request: You should seek advice from your lawyer on this matter. 3 [T+to-v;Obj] fml or lit to try; make an