hem
/hɛm/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.24 in modern English
8
Scrabble Score
3
Letters
1
Syllables
3
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
An utterance or sound of the voice like "hem", often indicative of hesitation or doubt, sometimes used to call attention.
noun
The border of an article of clothing doubled back and stitched together to finish the edge and prevent it from fraying.
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."
Etymology
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: hem, -, *hammjan, *hamjaną, hemmen, hemman