GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 6 definitions

1.       
   Hem , pron. [OE., fr. AS. him, heom, dative pl. of. hē he. See He, They.] Them [Obs.]
   Chaucer.
   
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2.       
   Hem, interj. An onomatopoetic word used as an expression of hesitation, doubt, etc. It is often a sort of voluntary half cough, loud or subdued, and would perhaps be better expressed by hm.
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   Cough or cry hem, if anybody come.
   Shak.
   
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3.       
   Hem, n. An utterance or sound of the voice, hem or hm, often indicative of hesitation or doubt, sometimes used to call attention. “His morning hems.” 
   Spectator.
   
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4.       
   Hem, v. i. [√15. See Hem, interj.] To make the sound expressed by the word hem; hence, to hesitate in speaking. “Hem, and stroke thy beard.”
   Shak.
   
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5.       
   Hem, n. [AS. hem, border, margin; cf. Fries. hämel, Prov. G. hammel hem of mire or dirt.]
   The edge or border of a garment or cloth, doubled over and sewed, to strengthen it and prevent raveling.
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   Border; edge; margin. “Hem of the sea.” 
   Shak.
   
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   A border made on sheet-metal ware by doubling over the edge of the sheet, to stiffen it and remove the sharp edge.
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6.       
   Hem, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hemmed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Hemming.]
   To form a hem or border to; to fold and sew down the edge of.
   Wordsworth.
   
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   To border; to edge
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   All the skirt about
   Was hemmed with golden fringe.
   Spenser.
   
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   To hem about, To hem around, or To hem in, to inclose and confine; to surround; to environ. “With valiant squadrons round about to hem.” Fairfax. “Hemmed in to be a spoil to tyranny.” Daniel. -- To hem out, to shut out. “You can not hem me out of London.” J. Webster.
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