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, 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, 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 (hĕm), pron. [OE., fr. AS.
him, heom, dative pl. of. hē he. See
He, They.] Them [Obs.] Chaucer.