Meaning

Used to fill in the gap of a pause with a vocalized sound..

Definitions by Sense

1. Used to fill in the gap of a pause with a vocalized sound.
2. An utterance or sound of the voice like "hem", often indicative of hesitation or doubt, sometimes used to call attention.
3. To make the sound expressed by the word hem; to hesitate in speaking.
4. (sewing) The border of an article of clothing doubled back and stitched together to finish the edge and prevent it from fraying.
5. A rim or margin of something.
6. In sheet metal design, a rim or edge folded back on itself to create a smooth edge and to increase strength or rigidity.
7. (sewing, intransitive) To make a hem.
8. (transitive) To put hem on an article of clothing, to edge or put a border on something.

Example Sentences

"Hem! hem! however there will be a by-place for me behind the stove."

his morning hems

Hem, and stroke thy beard.

“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.

Entombed upon the very hem o' th' sea

A small yard hemmed about by a tall hedge.

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.

And wente to the kinge and to the queene, and said to hem with a glad cheer.

Word Forms

• hems
• hemming
• hemmed

Related Words

When Should You Use Hem?

Use hem when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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