hem
1[ hem ]
/ hɛm /
verb (used with object), hemmed, hem·ming.
to fold back and sew down the edge of (cloth, a garment, etc.); form an edge or border on or around.
to enclose or confine (usually followed by in, around, or about): hemmed in by enemies.
noun
an edge made by folding back the margin of cloth and sewing it down.
the edge or border of a garment, drape, etc., especially at the bottom.
the edge, border, or margin of anything.
Architecture. the raised edge forming the volute of an Ionic capital.
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RELATED WORDS
skirt, perimeter, brim, margin, fringe, rim, piping, periphery, verge, trimming, edging, brink, define, selvage, skirting
Nearby words
- helvetian,
- helvetic,
- helvetii,
- helvétius,
- helvétius, claude adrien,
- hem and haw,
- hem in,
- hem-,
- hema-,
- hemacytometer
Origin of hem
1hem
2[ hem ]
/ hɛm /
interjection
(an utterance resembling a slight clearing of the throat, used to attract attention, express doubt, etc.)
noun
the utterance or sound of “hem.”
a sound or pause of hesitation: His sermon was full of hems and haws.
verb (used without object), hemmed, hem·ming.
to utter the sound “hem.”
to hesitate in speaking.
Origin of hem
2First recorded in 1520–30; imitative
hem-
variant of hemo- before a vowel: hemal.
Also especially British, haem-.
Compare haemat-.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for hem
hem
1/ (hɛm) /
noun
an edge to a piece of cloth, made by folding the raw edge under and stitching it down
short for hemline
verb hems, hemming or hemmed (tr)
to provide with a hem
(usually foll by in, around, or about) to enclose or confine
Word Origin for hem
Old English hemm; related to Old Frisian hemme enclosed land
noun, interjection
a representation of the sound of clearing the throat, used to gain attention, express hesitation, etc
verb hems, hemming or hemmed
(intr) to utter this sound
hem and haw or hum and haw to hesitate in speaking or in making a decision
hem-
combining form
a US variant of haemo-
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
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
hem-
pref.
Variant ofhemo-
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.