Semyngly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. Apparently or outwardly, judging by how something looks, though the reality may differ, as used in older English
2. In a manner that appears to be so on the surface, as an archaic form of seemingly
3. Having the look of being true or real to the eye, in the sense of appearing so though not necessarily being so

Etymology: Before it meant "apparently," "seem" meant "to be fitting." It comes from Old Norse "sœma," "to honour" or "be becoming," which is related to the Norse word "sómi," meaning honour. English picked it up in the Middle Ages with that sense of propriety, and the meaning shifted toward "appear" over time. The spelling here, "semyngly," is a Middle English form of the adverb that became modern "seemingly." It is "seeming" (the present participle of "seem") with the suffix "-ly," which turns an adjective into an adverb. Its sense is "in appearance, by all outward signs," which is how the word still works today, with no need to be sure the appearance is true.