semiserious en · ADJ
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *sem- Proto-Indo-European *sēmi Latin sēmi-bor. English semi- Proto-Indo-European *seh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-rós Proto-Italic *sēros Latin sērus Proto-Indo-European *-(i)yós Proto-Italic *-ijos Proto-Italic *-ios Old Latin -ios Latin -ius ? Proto-Indo-European *swer- Proto-Indo-European *-yós Proto-Italic *swerjos? Latin sērius Proto-Indo-European *h₃ed- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *h₃édosder.? Proto-Italic *-ŏ̄dsos? Old Latin -ōssus Latin -ōsus Medieval Latin sēriōsus Old French serieuxbor. Middle English seryows English serious English semiserious From semi- + serious.
Meanings
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(not-comparable) somewhat or partially serious
Rosenblum's semiserious survey of dogs in art illustrates major cultural and social changes over the centuries.
1988 November 4, Achy Obejas, “Calendar”, in Chicago Reader:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| semi-serious | alternative | lexicographic |
Deriveds
Translations (2)
pl na wpół poważny (somewhat or partially serious) · it semiserio (somewhat or partially serious)