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, hemming hem′·ming

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

hem in

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

hem (hem: conventionalized pronun.)

interjection, noun

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

intransitive verb hemmed, hemming hem′·ming

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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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