--- by JLS
----- for the GC
GRICE KNEW MUCH MORE (oh so much more) LATIN than the Vice-Chancelor of Oxford, as he then wasn't, Sir Geoffrey (Warnock). Yet he liked to play with his tuttee. They thought they had discovered a gap in English. We can say:
"I saw a cow"
But to add, "I saw the sight of a cow" or "a sight of a cow" seems otiose. Why? Chapman expands from archival material in _Grice_.
This is the OED. A good exercise for "Modified Occam Razor" applied -- how many 'senses' of 'see'. Just one. Of course. Is it causal? I.e. if we say, "I see the rainbow" does that mean that I cannot hallucinate? Or is the rainbow DISIMPLICATED when we 'hallucinate' it?
---
The OED notes that 'see' is "a Common Teut. strong verb". Old English "seon". Cognate with OFrisian sia, OSaxon sehan, MDutch sien (Dutch zien), MLG. sin (LG. seen), OHG. sehan (MHG., mod.G. sehen), ONorse sea (Sw. and Da. se), sia (Faer. siggja), sia (Icel. sja, Norw. sjaa), Goth. saihwan.
"All deriving from the OTeut sehw-: pre-Teut. *sequ-. "Three distinct Indogermanic roots of the form *sequ- are commonly recognized; some scholars (as Brugmann) refer the Teut. verb to the root of which an ablaut-variant appears; others (as Kluge) to the root of L.
"sequi" to follow
[nothing visual or eye-related about _that_. JLS]
and others (as Fick) to that of L. "secare" to cut; but each of these views
involves a hypothetical sense-development which it is not easy to accept
with confidence."
First registered use:
Beowulf 920
"Eode scealc moniasg. swithhicgende
to sele tham hean searowundor seon."
===
Signification and Uses (according to the OED)
Enjoy!
(Only like 5% of the usages refer to the eyes, and none of them
tautologically/analytically, I say! :))
I
The simple verb.
In most of the senses OE. and early ME. used the compound i-see, more
frequently than the simple verb. Hence the paucity of early examples here.=
1 a trans.
To perceive (light, colour, external objects and their movements) with the
eyes, or by the sense of which the eye is the specific organ.
Quotes:
Beowulf 1365 thaer mayag. mon..nithwundor seon, Fyr on flode.
b Pleonastically, to see with your eyes.
1000 Riddles lxxxiv. 31
Thaes the [hio]..aelda bearn eagum sawe.
1475 Parteney 51
A roial gret feste, A more worshipful neuer sayn with eye.
c predicated of the eye.
1225 Leg. Kath. 1733
Nan eorthlich ehe ne mei hit seon, ich segge.
d To behold (visual objects) in imagination, or in a dream or vision. So to
see a vision, †to see a dream. Also in phr. to see things, to suffer
hallucinations or false imaginings.
1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 109
The holi prophete abacuc..seh suterliche fele of the wundren the ure
helende dide sithen.
e Implying a reference to the ability of the subject to give testimony as
to the fact or the manner of the action predicated; compare, e.g. `I have
seen him walk' with `I have seen him walking'. In early examples the inf.
is often found where we should now use the complementary pple.
f With ellipsis of indefinite obj. (some one) before the infinitive.
1489 Caxton Blanchardyn xxix. 110
What so euer goode sporte & pleysure that blanchardyn sawe ther make for
his sake.
g With obj. and compl. 1865 Swinburne Chastelard ii. i. 52, I say what I
saw done.
h To distinguish by sight from.
1862 Mrs. H. Wood Mrs. Hallib. ii. iv, I can't see one sort from another;
we must have candles.
i In various phrases (some of which occur chiefly in figurative use), to
see the colour of (a person's money), to see double, to see the light, to
see one's way: see the associated words; to see red: see red sb.1 1 f. to
see (a person) coming, to make out one who can be fooled or deceived. Also
in proverbial phrase when you've seen one, you've seen them all; a
conjuror's phrase now you see him, now you don't, and varr.
1980 P. G. Winslow Counsellor Heart xx. 221 The only way is to..have them
think it's something else. Now you see it, now you don't.
j transf. or fig. of radar equipment, cameras, artificial satellites, etc.
1975 D. G. Fink Electronics Engineers' Handbk. xxv. 4 When connected to the
antenna, the receiver sees a low-noise background of empty space, modified
by surrounding terrain or sea surfaces and atmosphere, [etc.].
2 a absol. and intr. To perceive objects by sight. Formerly often, to have
the faculty of sight, not to be blind (now commonly expressed by can
see).can see often means to have sufficient light or power of vision to see
as clearly as is necessary for some contextually implied purpose. Sometimes
an inf. of purpose follows, as `I can see to read, but not to paint'.
b With ellipsis of an obj. implied by the context.
3 a (fig.) trans. To perceive mentally (an immaterial object, a quality,
etc.); to apprehend by thought (a truth, the answer to a question), to
recognize the force of (a demonstration). Often with reference to
metaphorical light or eyes. Also, to foresee or forecast (an event, trend,
etc.); U.S., to understand (a person). Also, to see (something) coming: to
foresee or anticipate.As the sense of sight affords far more complete and
definite information respecting external objects than any other of the
senses, mental perceptions are in many (perh. in all) languages referred to
in visual terms, and
often with little or no consciousness of metaphor.
[but is _it_ metaphor if the root = is Latin "sequi"? JLS]
b With obj. a clause or an indirect question.
c With obj. and infinitive or compl.
d In literary use, expressions like `we have seen', `we shall see', `the
reader has now seen', etc., are common with reference to what has been or
is to be narrated or proved in the book.
e Phrase, all things seen: all things being duly considered.
f absol. Often with virtual ellipsis of obj.-clause, esp. in parenthetic
use, or preceded by as or so. Also as figurative application of sense 2 and
colloq. with omission of the second person subj. pronoun, appended
parenthetically to a statement, freq. implying refusal to tolerate dissent,
or as a mere filler; also standing alone (= `do you see?') as an
interrogative, with similar force.I see: often used colloq. in assenting to
an explanation or argument. you see: sometimes appended parenthetically to
a statement of a fact known to the hearer which explains or excuses
something that provokes surprise or blame.
g trans. To have a particular mental view of; to perceive, apprehend, or
appreciate in a particular manner. Also absol. esp. in to see with = to
agree in opinion with another person. For to see eye to eye, see eye sb.
h To perceive (good or attractive qualities) in a person or thing, often in
an interrogative clause; to perceive (a certain characteristic or type) in
a person or thing.
i To recognize the rightness or desirability of (an idea or thing); to give
credence to, believe, accept; to consent to (a proposal). Usu. with it.
colloq. (orig. U.S.).
j Usu. in negative or interrogative context with personal obj. (esp. refl.)
and compl. (pple. or phrase): to perceive in one's mind's eye; to envisage
as possible or acceptable.
4 a trans. With mixed literal and figurative sense: To perceive by visual
tokens. With obj. a sb. (denoting a fact, quality, state of things), more
frequently a clause or an indirect question. Also with obj. and predicative
complement (now usually introduced by to be).
b The construction with sb. or pron. as obj. is sometimes combined with
that with an obj.-clause. Now only poet.Common in the Bible as literal
rendering of a Heb. idiom, but app. also developed independently in Eng.
c To learn by reading.Often idiomatically in present tense, I see = I have
just read (esp. in a newspaper) that something has happened.
d intr. To read music. colloq.
5 a trans. To direct the sight (literal or metaphorical) intentionally to;
to look at, contemplate, examine, inspect, or scrutinize; to visit (a
place); to attend (a play, etc.) as a spectator. (Cf. to see on, 21.) Also
to see and (to) be seen; hence see-and-be-seen attrib. phr.
b With sb. or pron. as obj. and complementary pple. or inf. Cf. 1 g.
c absol. To look.
1484 Caxton Fables of Alfonce xiii, He..sawe and serched al aboute here and
there.
d trans. To look at, read (a book, document, etc.). seen and allowed, seen
and approved, etc.: a formula used in certifying the official inspection of
a document.
1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) II. 215 No man would advance money upon an
estate without seeing the title deeds.
e The imperative see is used in books to a passage in the same or some
other work in which information will be found. Cf. mod.L. vide, F. voyez,
voir, G. siehe.
f The imperative is often employed exclamatorily, either with obj. a sb. or
a clause introduced by what or how, or absol. as quasi-int. = Behold! Also
see here, a brusque form of address used to preface an order,
expostulation, reprimand, etc. Cf. look here s.v. look v. 4 a.In OE.
accompanied by the dative þe, a use which, though unrecorded in ME. or
mod.Eng. literature, survives in dialects: see sithee in Eng. Dial. Dict.
The corresponding plural see you! also occurs in dialects, but is apt to be
confused with the interrogative see you? do you see?
6 a With indirect question as obj.: To ascertain by inspection, inquiry,
experiment, or consideration.In modern use, a promise `to see what one can
do', or `to see if one can do (so and so)' commonly implies a promise to
use one's best endeavours to secure the desired result.
b absol. or with ellipsis of indirect question. Sometimes used as a formula
for not giving a direct answer on the spot.
c To make sure by inspection (before taking action) that certain conditions
exist. Cf. sense 8.
7 a To keep in view; to watch over; chiefly in favourable sense, to
protect, take care of, tend.
b With adv. or phrase: To escort (a person) home, to the door, etc. to see
(a person) off: to be present at (his) starting for a journey. to see (a
person) (all) right: to ensure (his) well-being or safety; to see (a
person) over, through: of a thing, to be sufficient for (his) needs; also
with prep. over or through (a period of time or difficulty). Also, to see
(a book) through the press.
8 To ensure by supervision or vigilance that something shall be done or not
done. a with clause as obj. Often with reference to action on the part of
the subject: To take care, see to it (cf. 25 c) that one does so and so.
(In this use rarely †with dative of pron. used refl.)
b with obj. a sb. or pronoun, and pa. pple. or adj. (rarely infinitive) as
complement. £526.
c Coupled by and with another verb: To be careful to (do something). colloq.
1825 T. Hook Sayings Ser. ii. Passion & Princ. xi. III. 257 If you get your
letters ready early in the day, I will see and get them franked.
9 a To view or regard as, to judge, deem. With complementary adj., good,
fit, proper, or the like, the object being an infinitive phrase (less
frequently a clause), which is sometimes suppressed by ellipsis or
represented by it.
b Passive, to be seen: (a) to seem, appear [= L. videri]; (b) ellipt. to
seem good, approve itself. Obs.
10 a To know by observation (ocular and other), to witness; to meet with in
the course of one's experience; to have personal knowledge of, to be a
contemporary of and present at the scene of (an event); to be living at (a
certain period of time). Also, to experience (a specific age in life): usu.
in negative context. Phrases, to see life, the world: see the sbs. to have
seen everything, it all: to have experienced all the possible events and
situations of life (often used as an expression of resignation or boredom);
to see the New (Old) Year in (out): see year 7.Sometimes with mixture of
sense 11, as in to have seen better days, to have been formerly better off
or (of a thing) in better condition than now; to have seen one's day, one's
best days, to be no longer in one's prime.
b With clause, obj. and inf., or obj. and complement: To observe, find.
Also (chiefly in the future tense), to find, come to know in the course of
events.
c In passive. Formerly often impersonal, it is seen, it is observed,
experience shows that.
d Willingness (or unwillingness) to see an event is often predicated as
equivalent to willingness (or unwillingness) that the event should occur.
Hence the vb. sometimes assumes the sense: To allow (something to
happen).So in colloquial expressions of emphatic refusal: I'll see him
hanged (damned, further, etc.) first.
e transf. Of things, places, etc.: To be contemporary with and in the
neighbourhood of, to be the scene of (an event); to be in existence during
(a period of time). Also of a period of time: To be marked by (an event).
11 To experience in one's own person; to undergo, enjoy, or suffer. Now
rare. (For to have seen service, see service sb.)The use is app. native,
but coincides with a Biblical Hebraism: see, e.g. Luke ii. 26 (in all Eng.
versions).
12 a To be in the company of, to meet and converse with (a person). to go
or come to (or and) see: to visit, call upon. to see a man (about a dog)
and varr. (orig. U.S.), a joc. form of excuse or explanation used to avoid
giving the real reason for one's absence or departure; spec. (euphem.) to
obtain an alcoholic drink; to go to the lavatory. to see much or little of
(a person): to be often or seldom in his society.
b To obtain an interview with, call upon, or meet in order to consult or
confer with, give directions to or receive directions from. In U.S. colloq.
`To interview or consult in order to influence, esp. improperly, as in
order to bribe' (Webster 1911).
c To receive as a visitor; to admit to an interview. Phrases, to see
company; †to see masks = to hold a masquerade.
d absol. to see (together): to meet one another, have an interview. Obs.
e see you: colloq. formula of farewell, often in weakened sense without
reference to an anticipated meeting (in full I'll see you). Also with
advbs. and other extensions, as around, soon, etc. Also, (I'll) be seeing
you. Cf. F. au revoir, G. auf Wiedersehen.
13 Gaming. a To meet (a bet), or meet the bet of (another player), by
staking an equal sum. Now chiefly in Poker (see also quot. 1885). †b In
Brag: see quot. 1804.
14 Mil. To command or dominate (a position). Said of a fortification,
artillery, etc. [So F. voir.]
15 let see. a to let (a person) see: to show, bring to the sight or
knowledge of. With sb. or clause as obj. Formerly often with ellipsis of
personal obj. †to let see.
b The imperative let see was sometimes used with indirect question (= `let us see if'); also absol. prefixed to a request (= `come', `go to'); also = to
a question asked in soliloquy. Obs. c let me see, let us see: indicating that the speaker is trying to recall something to memory, or finds it necessary to reflect before answering a question.
16 Special uses of the gerundial infinitive.
a Formerly often appended, with the sense `in visible aspect', to various
predicates, esp. adjs. descriptive of appearance, as fair, foul, terrible,
etc. Three varieties of this use have been current: †(a) (fair, etc.) on =
to see. (The only form recorded from OE. times: cf. 21). (b) (fair, etc.) to
see. (The surviving use, now only poet.; common from the 14th c.) †(c)
(fair, etc.) to see to (rarely unto). (Occurs from the 16th to the 18th c.)
b As predicate (= the more usual `to be seen'). †(a) Visible, evident. =
Obs. rare. (b) Remaining to be seen.
---
You see what Grice meant by 'not multiplying senses beyond necessity'
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