Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

touch the hem of someone's garment

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.05 in modern English

Syllables: touch the hem of -some-one's -gar-ment
IPA

49

Scrabble Score

28

Letters

5

Syllables

13

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To give respect or reverence to someone; to express servitude to someone; to draw strength or comfort from someone who is superior.

Example Sentences

"Thus, at peace with God and the world, the farmer of Grand-Pré Lived on his sunny farm, and Evangeline governed his household. Many a youth, as he knelt in the church and opened his missal, Fixed his eyes upon her, as the saint of his deepest devotion; Happy was he who might touch her hand or the hem of her garment!"
""I do love you," he said with a strong effort to control himself, "but I am not worthy to touch the hem of your garment.""
"President Clinton is due at Brooklyn College. . . . "If he just wants to cut a ribbon or let us touch the hem of his garment, we don't need that.""
"Nelson Mandela . . . can bathe in the adulation of a worldwide throng yearning to, if not touch the hem of his garment, at least catch a glimpse of him whirring by in a motorcade."

Etymology

An allusion to the Biblical tale (Matthew 9:20) of the woman who was cured of disease when she touched the hem of Christ's garment.

Inflected Forms

touches the hem of someone's garment (present, singular) touching the hem of someone's garment (participle, present) touched the hem of someone's garment (participle, past) touched the hem of someone's garment (past) kiss someone's hem (alternative) kiss the hem of someone's garment (alternative) touch someone's hem (alternative) touch someone's robe (alternative) touch the hem of someone's robe (alternative)

Phrases

kiss someone's ring

Frequently Paired Words

kiss someone's ring

Questions

What does touch the hem of someone's garment mean?: To give respect or reverence to someone; to express servitude to someone; to draw strength or comfort from someone who is superior.
Where does touch the hem of someone's garment come from?: An allusion to the Biblical tale (Matthew 9:20) of the woman who was cured of disease when she touched the hem of Christ's garment.

How to pronounce touch the hem of someone's garment

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