Webster's English Dictionary

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hem

1. hem \'hem\ n [ME, fr. OE; akin to MHG hemmen to hem in, Arm kamel to 
   press] 1a: a border of a cloth article doubled back and stitched down  1b: 
   a similar border on an article of sheet metal, plastic, rubber, or leat her 
   2: RIM, MARGIN 
2. hem vt or hemmed;  or hem.ming 1a: to finish with a hem  1b: BORDER, 
   EDGE  2: to surround in a restrictive manner : CONFINE - usu. used wit h in 
   : to make a hem in sewing  - hem.mer n
3. hem \'hem; as an interjection a throat-clearing sound\ n [imit] : a 
   vocalized pause in speaking - often used interjectionally to call at 
   tention or to express hesitation or doubt
4. hem \'hem\ vi or hemmed;  or hem.ming 1: to utter the sound represented 
   by hem  2: EQUIVOCATE