em-

¹

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

   embalm.

em-

²

1. variant of en- ² 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 ( def 3 ).

EM

⁶

abbreviation for

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 for

1. Earl Marshal.
2. Engineer of Mines.

em

¹

/ ɛm /

noun

1. Also calledmuttonmut the square of a body of any size of type, used as a unit of measurement
2. Also calledpica empica a unit of measurement used in printing, equal to one sixth of an inch

em-

²

prefix

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

'em

³

/ əm /

pronoun

1. an informal variant of them

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

Her response: “What’s the rap verse? ‘F— the police, that’s how I see ‘em,’” which she told me was a garbling of lyrics by N.W.A, Kanye West and Rage Against the Machine.

From Los Angeles Times

"They'll be targeted arrests. We'll know who we're going to arrest, where we're most likely to find 'em based on numerous... investigative processes," he added.

From BBC

But her country hit Texas Hold 'Em faces strong competition from two of the songs of the summer - Sabrina Carpenter's Espresso and Chapel Roan's Good Luck, Babe.

From BBC

Awards, raising questions about Nashville’s inclusivity — picked up Grammy nods in country duo/group performance with “II Most Wanted,” a duet with Miley Cyrus, and country song with “Texas Hold ’Em.”

From Los Angeles Times

She leads this year's Grammys race with 11 nominations, including best album, best country album, and song of the year for Texas Hold 'Em.

From BBC