em-

¹

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

   embalm.

em-

²

1. variant of en- before b, m, p, ph:

   embolism, emphasis.

em

³

[em]

noun

plural

ems 

1. the letter M, m.

2. Also called mut, mutton. Printing.

   1. the square of any size of type used as the unit of measurement for matter printed in that type size.

   2. (originally) the portion of a line of type occupied by the letter M in type of the same size.

3. em pica.

adjective

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

'em

⁴

[uhm]

pronoun

Informal.

1. them.

   Put 'em down there.

Em

⁵

Symbol, Physical Chemistry.

1. emanation.

EM

⁶

abbreviation

1. electromagnetic.

2. electromotive.

3. electronic mail.

4. electron microscope; electron microscopy.

5. end matched.

6. Engineer of Mines.

7. enlisted man; enlisted men.

E.M.

⁷

abbreviation

1. Earl Marshal.

2. Engineer of Mines.

em

¹

/ ɛm /

noun

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

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

'em

²

/ əm /

pronoun

1. an informal variant of them

em-

³

prefix

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of em-¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Origin of em-²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English hem, Old English heom, dative and accusative plural of he ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of em-¹

C19: from the name of the letter M