hem

¹

[hem]

verb (used with object)

hemmed, hemming 

1. to fold back and sew down the edge of (cloth, a garment, etc.); form an edge or border on or around.

2. to enclose or confine (usually followed by in, around, orabout ).

   hemmed in by enemies.

noun

1. an edge made by folding back the margin of cloth and sewing it down.

2. the edge or border of a garment, drape, etc., especially at the bottom.

3. the edge, border, or margin of anything.

4. Architecture.,  the raised edge forming the volute of an Ionic capital.

hem

²

[hem]

interjection

1. (an utterance resembling a slight clearing of the throat, used to attract attention, express doubt, etc.)

noun

1. the utterance or sound of “hem.”

2. a sound or pause of hesitation.

   His sermon was full of hems and haws.

verb (used without object)

hemmed, hemming 

1. to utter the sound “hem.”

2. to hesitate in speaking.

hem-

³

1. variant of hemo- before a vowel.

   hemal.

hem

¹

/ hɛm /

noun

1. an edge to a piece of cloth, made by folding the raw edge under and stitching it down

2. short for hemline

verb

1. to provide with a hem

2. to enclose or confine

hem

²

/ hɛm /

noun

1. a representation of the sound of clearing the throat, used to gain attention, express hesitation, etc

verb

1. (intr) to utter this sound

2. to hesitate in speaking or in making a decision

hem-

³

combining form

1. a US variant of haemo-

Word History and Origins

Origin of hem¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English hem(e), Old English hem, probably akin to ham “piece of enclosed land, enclosure”; home

Origin of hem²

First recorded in 1520–30; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of hem¹

Old English hemm; related to Old Frisian hemme enclosed land

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. hem and haw,

   1. to hesitate or falter.

      She hemmed and hawed a lot before she came to the point.

   2. to speak noncommittally; avoid giving a direct answer.

      He hems and haws and comes out on both sides of every question.

Example Sentences

For years, the famed park has served as an urban oasis for thousands of Westlake residents hemmed in by concrete and asphalt.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

One person hemmed in by perfectionist anxiety was invited to sing with an off-key Masli.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Already chic, an adjustable drawstring hem and belted detailing at the waist and wrists allows you to style the jacket your way.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Perhaps inevitably, the moral drama is somewhat hemmed in by its central mystery: Either Rashad is Peg Leg or he isn’t.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He spent two nights there, exhausted and hemmed in by the weather.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• skirt 

When To Use

What does hem- mean?

Hem- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “blood.” It is used in many medical terms, especially in pathology.Hem- comes from the Greek haîma, meaning “blood.”Hem- is a variant of hemo-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. The spelling haem- is chiefly used in British English.Want to know more? Read our Words That Use hemo- article. Other variants of hem- used like hem- are hema-, hemato-, and hemat-.As with haem-, all of these combining forms are often spelled with an additional a in British English, as in haemo-, haema-, haemato-, and haemat-. Historically, these forms have been spelled with a ligature of the a and e, as in hæm-.Closely related to hem- are -aemia, -emia, -haemia, and -hemia, which are combined to the ends of words to denote blood conditions.You can learn all about the specific applications for each of these forms at our Words That Use articles for them.