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-

hem

²

/ hɛm /

noun

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

verb

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

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

verb

1. to provide with a hem
2. usually foll byin, around, or about to enclose or confine

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hem¹

Old English hemm; related to Old Frisian hemme enclosed land

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.

Example Sentences

Maybe the hem on the pants is too long.

From Los Angeles Times

The whole world is awash in scammy supplements and overpriced, ineffective diet plans, none of which is subject to the regulation or research requirements that hem in, however imperfectly, the pharmaceutical industry.

From Salon

As Gracie Abrams roamed the Greek Theatre stage Monday, the pit dwellers’ outstretched arms resembled flames licking the hem of her sheer black maxi skirt.

From Los Angeles Times

As I planned my wedding, I knew that I didn’t want a sweetheart neckline or a tea-length hem.

From Los Angeles Times

As I planned my wedding, I knew that I didn’t want a sweetheart neckline or a tea-length hem.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• skirt

Words That Use Hem-

What does hem- mean?

Hem- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “blood.” It is used in many medical terms, especially in pathology.

Hem- comes from the Greek haîma, meaning “blood.”

Hem- is a variant of hemo-, which loses its -o– when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. The spelling haem- is chiefly used in British English.

Want to know more? Read our Words That Use hemo- article.

Other variants of hem- used like hem- are hema-, hemato-, and hemat-.

As with haem-, all of these combining forms are often spelled with an additional a in British English, as in haemo-, haema-, haemato-, and haemat-. Historically, these forms have been spelled with a ligature of the a and e, as in hæm-.

Closely related to hem- are -aemia, -emia, -haemia, and -hemia, which are combined to the ends of words to denote blood conditions.

You can learn all about the specific applications for each of these forms at our Words That Use articles for them.

Examples of hem-

One medical term that features the combining form hem- is hemagogue, “an agent that promotes the flow of blood.”

The first part of the word, hem-, means “blood.” The second part of the word, -agogue, is a combining form that means “leader, bringer.” It is used in medical terms to denote substances inducing expulsion or secretion. Hemagogue literally translates to “bringer of blood.”

What are some words that use the combining form hem-?

• hemadsorption
• hemagglutinin
• hemangioma
• hemal
• hemapheresis
• hemarthrosis
• hemic
• hemin

What are some other forms that hem- may be commonly confused with?

• chemi-
• chem-
• hemangio-
• hemi-
• hom-
• homeo-

Hem- is not to be confused with hem, a bottom edge of a piece of clothing or sound of clearing the throat, among other senses. And outside medicine, most words that begin with the exact letters hem- are not using it as a combining form to refer to blood, e.g., hemp.

Break it down!

The suffix -oid means “resembling” or “like.” With this in mind, what does hemoid mean?