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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.

adjective

  1. Printing. having the area of an em quad or the length of an em dash.

'em

4

[ uhm ]

pronoun

, Informal.
  1. Put 'em down there.

Em

5
Symbol, Physical Chemistry.

EM

6

abbreviation for

  1. electronic mail.
  2. electron microscope; electron microscopy.
  3. end matched.
  4. Engineer of Mines.
  5. enlisted man; enlisted men.

E.M.

7

abbreviation for

  1. Earl Marshal.
  2. Engineer of Mines.

em-

1

prefix

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


em

2

/ 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

3

/ əm /

pronoun

  1. See them
    an informal variant of them

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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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of em-1

C19: from the name of the letter M

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Example Sentences

Barnes quotes E.M. Forster: “One death may explain itself, but it throws no light upon another.”

The Red Squadby E.M. Broner An octogenarian feminist channels her youth in this deft mystery.

Under the most favourable circumstances its specific resistance may approach 1024 E.M. units.

But it makes a lot of difference to E.M. Pierce, and he can make it a lot of difference to us.

It is edited by E.M. Thompson in the same volume as Murimuth.

All storm signals set, and E.M.'s secretary telephoning that the Great Man wants to see you at once.

How many readers care whether E.M. Pierce's daughter ran over a woman or not?

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