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View synonyms for hem

hem

1

[ hem ]

verb (used with object)

, hemmed, hem·ming.
  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, or about ):

    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, hem·ming.
  1. to utter the sound “hem.”
  2. to hesitate in speaking.

hem-

3
  1. variant of hemo- before a vowel:

    hemal.

hem-

1

combining_form

  1. 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


hem

2

/ hɛm /

noun

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

verb

  1. intr to utter this sound
  2. hem and haw or hum and haw
    to hesitate in speaking or in making a decision
“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

hem

3

/ 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
“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

verb

  1. to provide with a hem
  2. usually foll byin, around, or about to enclose or confine
“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
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of hem1

Old English hemm; related to Old Frisian hemme enclosed land
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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.

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Example Sentences

It has been called the “golden hem of Windsor”: whatever George or Kate wears instantly sells out.

Such products are not suited for the rigours of public life, and need to be adapted, at the very least by sewing in hem weights.

If I could sum it up in a few choice words, I would, but instead I hem and haw, before stumbling through some rambling rejoinder.

Music, too, can dismantle me—for instance, this morning: Sam Cooke singing “Touch the Hem of His Garment.”

Tessie rose, unrolled her scented handkerchief, and taking a bit of gum from a knot in the hem, placed it in her mouth.

Here was one sister curled up happily against a big tree, setting tiny stitches into a very straight hem.

I supply Ne lak (defect) in hem, to make some sense; the F. text does not help here.

Mrs. McAllister, finding out in some way that Violet was a clever seamstress, sent home fine linen handkerchiefs for her to hem.

Fold the front at the first pattern row, and hem it to form the scallop at the edge.

Hilda left the road, with a trace of its red dust on the hem of her skirt, and struck out into the Maidan.

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Related Words

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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