Hem , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hemmed (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Hemming.]
1. To form a hem or border to;
to fold and
sew down the edge of. Wordsworth.
2.
To border; to edge
All the skirt
about
Was hemmed with golden fringe.
Spenser. To hem about, around, or 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.
Hem , n. [AS. hem, border, margin; cf. Fries.
hämel, Prov. G.
hammel hem of mire or dirt.]
1. The edge or border of a garment or cloth, doubled over and sewed, to strengthen it and prevent raveling.
2. Border; edge; margin. "Hem of the sea."
Shak.
3. A border made on sheet-metal ware by
doubling over the edge of the sheet, to
stiffen it and remove the sharp edge.
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.
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.
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.
Cough or cry hem, if anybody come.
Shak.
Hem (h&ebreve;m),
pron. [OE., fr. AS. him, heom, dative pl.
of. hē he. See He, They.]
Them [Obs.] Chaucer.
Hear it pronounced