seem

The word "seem" entered Middle English from the Old Norse sœma, meaning "to befit" or "to be suitable." This Norse root is related to the Old English sēman ("to reconcile, settle") and the Proto-Germanic sōmijaną, all carrying a sense of fitting together or being appropriate. The core semantic shift was from an objective state of suitability ("it befits the occasion") to a subjective impression of appearance ("it appears to be suitable"). Thus, the modern abstract meaning of giving a particular impression evolved from the older, more concrete idea of conformity and harmony.

This is a simplex word of Scandinavian origin. The Old Norse verb sœma meant "to befit, to be suitable," which itself derived from the adjective sœmr ("fitting, seemly").