seam

Universal Words noun 1 a line along which two edges of fabric, etc. are joined or sewn together: a shoulder seam 2 a thin layer of coal or other material, between layers of rock under the ground: They struck a rich seam of iron ore. * (figurative) The book is a rich seam of information. 3 a line where two edges meet, for example the edges of wooden boards: Light was spilling in through the seams of the door. IDIOMS be bursting / bulging at the seams (informal) to be very full, especially of people be falling / coming apart at the seams (informal) to be going very badly wrong and likely to stop functioning completely: She was falling apart at the seams, spending most of her time in tears. * His little world fell apart at the seams. moreatFRAYv.