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