em

[ em ]

/ ɛm /

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noun, plural ems.

the letter M, m.

Also called mut, mutton. Printing.

the square of any size of type used as the unit of measurement for matter printed in that type size.
(originally) the portion of a line of type occupied by the letter M in type of the same size.

em pica.

adjective

Printing. having the area of an em quad or the length of an em dash.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of em

First recorded in 1860–65

Other definitions for em (2 of 7)

'em

[ uhm ]

/ əm /

pronoun Informal.

them: Put 'em down there.

Origin of 'em

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English hem, Old English heom, dative and accusative plural of he¹

Other definitions for em (3 of 7)

Symbol, Physical Chemistry.

emanation (def. 3).

Other definitions for em (4 of 7)

abbreviation

electromagnetic.

electromotive.

electronic mail.

electron microscope; electron microscopy.

end matched.

Engineer of Mines.

enlisted man; enlisted men.

Other definitions for em (5 of 7)

em-¹

variant of en-¹ before b, p, and sometimes m:embalm.

Compare im-¹.

Other definitions for em (6 of 7)

em-²

variant of en-² before b, m, p, ph:embolism, emphasis.

Other definitions for em (7 of 7)

E.M.

abbreviation

Earl Marshal.

Engineer of Mines.

How to use em in a sentence

The Stracheys were part of the Bloomsbury Group, frequented by the Woolfs, T. S. Eliot and E. M. Forster.
Book Bag: André Aciman’s Favorite Novellas of Unconsummated Loves|André Aciman|January 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“It should be obvious from the first line that this is a novel inspired by E. M. Forster,” she writes.
Ann Patchett’s 'State of Wonder' and Other Twists on Classic Novels|Caryn James|December 7, 2011|DAILY BEAST
This organ has lately been entirely rebuilt with new action and vastly improved by Mr. E. M. Skinner.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building|George Laing Miller
The board paid a lawyer to compile the State laws for women under the direction of E. M. Grossman.
The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume VI|Various

If your head is all stuffed up to-night, or you feel a cold coming on, use V-E-M just before going to bed.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 2 of 2|Various
If you suffer with chronic or acute catarrh, use V-E-M regularly night and morning.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 2 of 2|Various
Mr. E. M. Morse wrote me a fictitious one, claiming to be written from the north pole ten years hence.
Village Life in America 1852-1872|Caroline Cowles Richards

British Dictionary definitions for em (1 of 3)

/ (ɛm) /

noun printing

Also called: mutton, mut the square of a body of any size of type, used as a unit of measurement

Also called: pica em, pica a unit of measurement used in printing, equal to one sixth of an inch

Word Origin for em

C19: from the name of the letter M

British Dictionary definitions for em (2 of 3)

'em

/ (əm) /

pronoun

an informal variant of them

British Dictionary definitions for em (3 of 3)

em-

prefix

before b, m, and p, a variant of en- 1, en- 2

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012