verb (used with object)
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
3.
an edge made by folding back the margin of cloth and sewing it down.
4.
the edge or border of a garment, drape, etc., especially at the bottom.
5.
the edge, border, or margin of anything.
6.
Architecture. the raised edge forming the volute of an Ionic capital.
00:10
Hem
is always a great word to know.
So is frontispiece. Does it mean:
| a drawing that represents an object or structure as being projected geometrically on a vertical plane parallel to one of its sides |
| a fa?ade, or a part or feature of a fa?ade, often highlighted by ornamentation |
Origin:
before 1000; Middle English hem(m), Old English hem, probably akin to hamm enclosure; see home
before 1000; Middle English hem(m), Old English hem, probably akin to hamm enclosure; see home
Dictionary.com Unabridged
interjection
1.
(an utterance resembling a slight clearing of the throat, used to attract attention, express doubt, etc.)
noun
2.
the utterance or sound of “hem.”
3.
a sound or pause of hesitation: His sermon was full of hems and haws.
verb (used without object)
Idioms 4.
to utter the sound “hem.”
5.
to hesitate in speaking.
6.
hem and haw,
a.
to hesitate or falter: She hemmed and hawed a lot before she came to the point.
b.
to speak noncommittally; avoid giving a direct answer: He hems and haws and comes out on both sides of every question.
Origin:
1520–30; imitative
1520–30; imitative
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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|
Link To Hem
Collins
World English Dictionary
hem1 (hɛm) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | an edge to a piece of cloth, made by folding the raw edge under and stitching it down |
| 2. | short for hemline |
| —vb (usually foll by in, around, | |
| 3. | to provide with a hem |
| 4. | to enclose or confine |
| [Old English hemm; related to Old Frisian hemme enclosed land] | |
| hem2 (hɛm) | |
| —n, —interj | |
| 1. | a representation of the sound of clearing the throat, used to gain attention, express hesitation, etc |
| —vb , hems, hemming, hemmed | |
| 2. | (intr) to utter this sound |
| 3. | hem and haw, hum and haw to hesitate in speaking or in making a decision |
| hem- | |
| —combining form | |
| a US variant of haemo- | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
hem
O.E. hem "a border," from P.Gmc. *khamjanan (cf. O.N. hemja "to bridle, curb," O.Fris. hemma "to hinder," M.Du., Ger. hemmen "to hem in, stop, hinder"), from the same root that yielded hamper and O.E. hamm, common in place names (where it means "enclosure, land hemmed in by water or high ground, land
in a river bend"). The phrase hem in "shut in, confine," first recorded 1538. Hem-line first attested 1923.
hem
1470, probably imitative of the sound of clearing the throat. Hem and haw first recorded 1786, from haw "hesitation," first recorded 1632.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
hem- pref.
Variant of hemo-.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Easton
Bible Dictionary
Hem definition
of a garment, the fringe of a garment. The Jews attached much importance to these, because of the regulations in Num. 15:38, 39. These borders or fringes were in process of time enlarged so as to attract special notice (Matt. 23:5). The hem of Christ's garment touched (9:20; 14:36; Luke 8:44).
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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Example sentences
Because big shoulder pads have been banished from furs, the new coats have graceful shapes, flaring toward the hem.
Trimmed at the collar with hunks of turquoise, it had rows of silver skulls at the hem.
He was accused of being a dictator by critics around the world, particularly when he changed hem lengths and silhouettes.
The yellow cotton skirt with the big patch pockets and the hand detail around the hem.
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