Dictionary
hem
Pronunciation: (hem), [key]
—v., hemmed, hem•ming,
—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.
1. an edge made by folding back the margin of cloth and sewing it down.
2. the edge or border of a garment, drape, etc., esp. at the bottom.
3. the edge, border, or margin of anything.
4. Archit.the raised edge forming the volute of an Ionic capital.
hem
Pronunciation: (hem), [key]
—interj., n., v., hemmed, hem•ming.
—
interj.
(an utterance resembling a slight clearing of the throat, used to attract attention, express doubt, etc.)
—
n.
1. the utterance or sound of “hem.”
2. a sound or pause of hesitation:
His sermon was full of hems and haws.
—
v.i.
1. to utter the sound “hem.”
2. to hesitate in speaking.
3. 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. hem-
var. of
hemo- before a vowel:
hemal. Also, esp. Brit.,haem-.Cf.
haemat-. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
