Hem

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. he. See He, They.] Them [Obs.] Chaucer.