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WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024hem1 /hɛm/USA pronunciation v., hemmed, hem•ming, n. v. - Clothing to form or sew a hem on:[~ + object]She hemmed the skirt.
- to enclose;
surround: [~ + in + object]The cavalry had managed to hem in the enemy infantry.[~ + object + in]A fence hemmed the sheep in.
n. [countable] - Clothingthe bottom edge or border of a garment, drape, etc., esp. one made by folding back an edge and sewing it down.
hem•mer, n. [countable]hem2 /hɛm/USA pronunciation interj., n., v., hemmed, hem•ming. interj. - This sound, resembling a slight clearing of the throat, is used esp. to attract attention or express doubt or hesitation.
n. [countable] - the sound or the saying of "hem.''
v. [no object] - to utter the sound "hem.''
- to hesitate in speaking:He hemmed a few moments, then answered.
Idioms- Idioms hem and haw, [no object]
- to hesitate or falter while speaking:She hemmed and hawed a moment, nervous from all the pressure.
- to avoid giving a direct answer:The candidate hemmed and hawed when asked if he had ever used illegal drugs.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024hem1 (hem),USA pronunciation v., hemmed, hem•ming, n. v.t. - to fold back and sew down the edge of (cloth, a garment, etc.);
form an edge or border on or around. - to enclose or confine (usually fol. by in, around, or about): hemmed in by enemies.
n. - an edge made by folding back the margin of cloth and sewing it down.
- the edge or border of a garment, drape, etc., esp. at the bottom.
- the edge, border, or margin of anything.
- Architecturethe raised edge forming the volute of an Ionic capital.
- bef. 1000; Middle English hem(m), Old English hem, probably akin to hamm enclosure; see home
- (an utterance resembling a slight clearing of the throat, used to attract attention, express doubt, etc.)
n. - the utterance or sound of "hem.''
- a sound or pause of hesitation:His sermon was full of hems and haws.
v.i. - to utter the sound "hem.''
- to hesitate in speaking.
- Idioms hem and haw:
- to hesitate or falter:She hemmed and hawed a lot before she came to the point.
- to speak noncommittally;
avoid giving a direct answer:He hems and haws and comes out on both sides of every question.
hem-, - var. of hemo- before a vowel:hemal.
Also,[esp. Brit.,] haem-. Cf. haemat-. Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: hem /hɛm/ n - an edge to a piece of cloth, made by folding the raw edge under and stitching it down
- short for hemline
vb (hems, hemming, hemmed)(transitive)- to provide with a hem
- usually followed by in, around, or about: to enclose or confine
Etymology: Old English hemm; related to Old Frisian hemme enclosed land hem /hɛm/ n , interj - a representation of the sound of clearing the throat, used to gain attention, express hesitation, etc
vb (hems, hemming, hemmed)- (intransitive) to utter this sound
- hem and haw, hum and haw ⇒ to hesitate in speaking or in making a decision
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