seme (n.)

in linguistics, 1866, from Greek sema "sign" (see semantic). Compare pheme, etc.

"covered with a small, constantly repeating pattern," 1560s, from French semée "strewn, sprinkled," past participle of semer, from Latin seminare "to sow," from semen (genitive seminis) "seed" (from PIE root *sē- "to sow").