hem

hem
hem1
/hem/, v., hemmed, hemming, n.
v.t.
1. to fold back and sew down the edge of (cloth, a garment, etc.); form an edge or border on or around.
2. to enclose or confine (usually fol. by in, around, or about): hemmed in by enemies.
n.
3. an edge made by folding back the margin of cloth and sewing it down.
4. the edge or border of a garment, drape, etc., esp. at the bottom.
5. the edge, border, or margin of anything.
6. Archit. the raised edge forming the volute of an Ionic capital.
[bef. 1000; ME hem(m), OE hem, prob. akin to hamm enclosure; see HOME]
hem2
/hem/, interj., n., v., hemmed, hemming.
1. (an utterance resembling a slight clearing of the throat, used to attract attention, express doubt, etc.)
n.
2. the utterance or sound of "hem."
3. a sound or pause of hesitation: His sermon was full of hems and haws.
v.i.
4. to utter the sound "hem."
5. to hesitate in speaking.
6. hem and haw,
a. to hesitate or falter: She hemmed and hawed a lot before she came to the point.
b. to speak noncommittally; avoid giving a direct answer: He hems and haws and comes out on both sides of every question.
[1520-30; imit.]

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • hem — hem …   Dictionnaire des rimes

  • hem — hem·a·chate; hem·a·tin; hem·a·tin·om·e·ter; hem·a·tite; hem·a·tit·ic; hem·a·to·blast; hem·a·to·cele; hem·a·to·chrome; hem·a·to·col·pos; hem·a·to·cryal; hem·a·to·cyte; hem·a·tog·e·nous; hem·a·to·gone; hem·a·to·lite; hem·a·to·log·ic;… …   English syllables

  • hem — [ ɛm; hɛm ] interj. • XVIe; onomat. ♦ Interjection servant à appeler (⇒ hé, holà), à interroger (⇒ hein), à exprimer le doute, un scepticisme moqueur, certains sous entendus (⇒ hum). « Hem ? quoi ? que voulez vous ? » (Marivaux). ♢ Onomatopée… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • hem — 1. (hèm ) interj. 1°   On s en sert pour appeler. Hem, hem, venez çà. 2°   On s en sert aussi pour interroger. •   As tu l effronterie de m assurer que tu n as rien vu ? hem ! réponds, parle, HAUTEROCHE le Coch. 3. •   Beau père, ainsi je crois… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • Hem — Escudo …   Wikipedia Español

  • 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. [1913 Webster] 2. To border; to edge [1913 Webster] All the skirt about Was hemmed with golden fringe.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Hem — bezeichnet: eine Gemeinde in der französischen Region Nord Pas de Calais, siehe Hem (Nord) eine Ortschaft in der Skive Kommune in Dänemark, siehe Hem (Dänemark) eine Band aus Brooklyn, New York City, siehe Hem (Band) Hem ist der Familienname… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • hem — HEM, hemuri, s.n. Nucleu al hemoglobinei şi al altor pigmenţi respiratori celulari, de care se leagă un ion de fier. – Din fr. hème Trimis de gall, 13.09.2007. Sursa: DEX 98  hem s. n., pl. hémuri Trimis de siveco, 10.08.2004. Sursa: Dicţionar… …   Dicționar Român

  • hem — hem1 [hem] n. [ME < OE, akin to MLowG ham, enclosed piece of land < IE base * kem , to compress, impede > HAMPER1] 1. the border on a garment or piece of cloth, usually made by folding the edge and sewing it down 2. any border, edge, or… …   English World dictionary

  • Hem — Hem, v. i. [[root]15. See {Hem}, interj.] To make the sound expressed by the word hem; hence, to hesitate in speaking. Hem, and stroke thy beard. Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Hem — Hem, n. [AS. hem, border, margin; cf. Fries. h[ a]mel, 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. [1913 Webster] 2. Border; edge; margin. Hem… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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