Pronunciations (3)
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/hɛm/
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/hɪm/
Pronunciation notes
- pin-pen-merger
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hɛm
Interjection
Used to fill in the gap of a pause with a vocalized sound.
- Examples
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"Hem! hem! however there will be a by-place for me behind the stove."
Noun
An utterance or sound of the voice like "hem", often indicative of hesitation or doubt, sometimes used to call attention.
- Examples
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his morning hems
Verb
To make the sound expressed by the word hem; to hesitate in speaking.
- Examples
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Hem, and stroke thy beard.
More examples (1)
“Sit down,” said the young man, gruffly. “He’ll be in soon.” I obeyed; and hemmed, and called the villain Juno, who deigned, at this second interview, to move the extreme tip of her tail, in token of owning my acquaintance.
Noun
The border of an article of clothing doubled back and stitched together to finish the edge and prevent it from fraying.
A rim or margin of something.
- Examples
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Entombed upon the very hem o' th' sea
In sheet metal design, a rim or edge folded back on itself to create a smooth edge and to increase strength or rigidity.
Verb
To make a hem.
Usage- Intransitive
To put hem on an article of clothing, to edge or put a border on something.
Usage- Transitive
To shut in, enclose, confine; to surround something or someone in a confining way.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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A small yard hemmed about by a tall hedge.
More examples (1)
He’s in the saddle now. Fall in! Steady, the whole brigade! Hill’s at the ford, cut off — we’ll win his way out, ball and blade! What matter if our shoes are worn? What matter if our feet are torn? “Quick step! We’re with him before the morn!” That’s “Stonewall Jackson’s Way.” The sun’s bright lances rout the mists of morning, and by George! Here’s Longstreet struggling in the lists, hemmed in an ugly gorge. Pope and his Yankees, whipped before, “Bay’nets and grape!” hear Stonewall roar; “Charge, Stuart! Pay off Ashby’s score!” in “Stonewall Jackson’s Way.
Noun
the edge of a piece of cloth; especially the finished edge that has been doubled under and stitched down
- Broader terms
- Examples
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the hem of her dress was stained
let down the hem
More examples (2)
he stitched weights into the curtain's hem
it seeped along the hem of his jacket
the utterance of a sound similar to clearing the throat; intended to get attention, express hesitancy, fill a pause, hide embarrassment, warn a friend, etc.
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
Verb
fold over and sew together to provide with a hem
- Broader terms
- Examples
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hem my skirt
utter ‘hem’ or ‘ahem’