hem Hear it!

hem¹ Definition

hem (hem)

noun

  1. the border on a garment or piece of cloth, usually made by folding the edge and sewing it down
  2. any border, edge, or margin

Etymology: ME < OE, akin to MLowG ham, enclosed piece of land < IE base *kem-, to compress, impede > hamper

transitive verb hemmed, hem′·ming

to fold back the edge of and sew down; put a hem or hems on

hem¹ Idioms

hem in

or hem around or hem about
  1. to encircle; surround
  2. to confine or restrain
hem² Definition

hem (hem: conventionalized pronun.)

, noun

(used to suggest) the sound made in clearing the throat

intransitive verb hemmed, hem′·ming

to make this sound, as in trying to get attention or in showing doubt

hem² Idioms

hem and haw

  1. to make sounds like hems, or grope about in speech, while searching for the right words to say
  2. to speak in a vague or evasive manner; equivocate
hem Synonyms

hem

n.

border, skirting, edging, piping, selvage; see also edge 1, fringe 2, rim, trimming.

hem Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • elasticate: Its elasticated hem ensures its close fitting, and hence reduces drafts.
  • ruffle: It has a lined skirt for fullness, with ruffled hem.
  • stitch: I iced a cake, stitched a hem, slept in curlers.
  • touch: She has been healed just by touching the hem of his cloak.
  • lift: They kept lifting the hems of our skirts to see exactly what we wore on our legs.
  • have: Short overskirt has a shaped hem which is longer at the back with ties to form bustle effect.

Adjective modifier

  • adjustable: Adjustable hem; draw in to keep bad weather on the outside or release to assist ventilation.
  • bottom: Special details include 1/2 ' binding on neck and sleeve with 1 ' bottom hem.
  • straight: The Ocean Shirt has a shirt collar, elbow length sleeves, patch hip pockets and a straight hem with side vents.
  • rolled: Paint the rolled hem in a contrast or deeper color.
  • weighted: Work the first row by hand after you have rehung the weighted hem.

Modifies a noun

  • drawcord: Additional temperature control provided by single-handed hem drawcord pulls.
  • line: The addition of the tuck raised the hem line considerably, from originally ankle length to just below the knee.

Modifying Another Word

  • now: The two post mills were demolished over 100 years ago, and the tower mill is now hemmed in by trees and bungalows.

Noun used with modifier

  • drawcord: Zip side pockets, elasticated cuffs, drawcord hem.
  • skirt: Dress measures approx 22 inches / 56 cm around the waist and approx 19 inches / 48 cm from shoulder to skirt hem.
  • trouser: Zips featured strongly, with zipped insets on trouser hems and zip sweatshirt tops worn with chunky balaclava hoods and football-based T-shirt prints.
  • cord: Half zip, adjustable shock cord hem age 7+ .

Preposition: of

  • pant: Stitched 6 times on the cuffs and hem of pants as well as four times on the collar.
  • garment: This list does not cover the hem of the garment of Death these troubles have cost.
hem Quotes

But from the first 'twas Peter's drift To be a kind of moral eunuch, He touched the hem of Nature's shift, Felt faintöand never dared uplift The closest, all-concealing tunic.

—Shelley, Percy Bysshe