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

Example Sentences

The space will house more than 2,000 slot machines; live table games of blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold ’em and three-card poker; and rooms for exclusive games.

From Los Angeles Times

Conversion therapy, racial redistricting, the president’s power to fire anyone he wants—are the conservatives lining ‘em up to knock ‘em down?

From Slate

That’s Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s whole thing, too: Kill ’em with charm.

From Los Angeles Times

"Not just any apples, mind you. They had to be Pink Lady apples... I got to the point where some nights I was eating 12 of 'em."

From BBC

Head coach Charlotte Edwards left experienced seamer Kate Cross out of England's squad, meaning extra responsibility has shifted to Bell's shoulders in the pace attack with Em Arlott and Lauren Filer as the other frontline seamers, and captain Nat Sciver-Brunt playing as an all-rounder.

From BBC