Hem — Defs

01 pron. Them

1.
Them[Obs.]

02 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 wou…

1.
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.

03 n. An utterance or sound of the voice, hem or hm, often indicative of hesitation or doubt, sometimes used to call attention.

1.
An utterance or sound of the voice, hem or hm, often indicative of hesitation or doubt, sometimes used to call attention.

04 v. i. To make the sound expressed by the word hem; hence, to hesitate in speaking.

1.
To make the sound expressed by the word hem; hence, to hesitate in speaking.

05 n. The edge or border of a garment or cloth, doubled over and sewed, to strengthen it and prevent raveling.

1.
The edge or border of a garment or cloth, doubled over and sewed, to strengthen it and prevent raveling.
2.
Border; edge; margin.
3.
A border made on sheet-metal ware by doubling over the edge of the sheet, to stiffen it and remove the sharp edge.

06 v. t. To form a hem or border to; to fold and sew down the edge of.

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.
2.
To border; to edge
“All the skirt about Was hemmed with golden fringe.” — Spenser.

Phrases & compounds

To hem about — to inclose and confine; to surround; to environ.

To hem out — to shut out.