しめる

Japanese

Etymology 1

Kana spelling of various terms.

Verb

しめる • (shimeru) transitive ichidan (stem しめ (shime), past しめた (shimeta))

1. 絞める: to constrict
2. 占める: to make up, to be a part of
3. 締める, 〆る, 緊める: to fasten
4. 閉める: to close

しめる • (shimeru) intransitive godan (stem しめり (shimeri), past しめった (shimetta))

1. 湿る: to be wet

Etymology 2

Modern form of classical しむ (shimu).

Suffix

しめる • (-shimeru) ichidan (stem しめ (-shime), past しめた (-shimeta))

1. (archaic) Used to make the causative form of verbs: to make; to let

   言(い)わしめる

   iwashimeru

   to make [someone] say

   中(ちゅう)心(しん)地(ち)たらしめる

   chūshinchi-tarashimeru

   to make a place a centre

Usage notes

This word is morphologically an inflectional suffix. It is classified as 助動詞 (jodōshi, “auxiliary verb”) in traditional Japanese grammar.

See also

• せる (-seru)
• させる (-saseru)