Hem \Hem\, interj.
   An onomatopoetic word used as an expression of hesitation,
   doubt, etc. It is often a sort of voluntary half cough, loud
   or subdued, and would perhaps be better expressed by hm.
   
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         Cough or cry hem, if anybody come.       --Shak.
   
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Hem \Hem\ (h[e^]m), pron. [OE., fr. AS. him, heom, dative pl.
   of. h[=e] he. See {He}, {They}.]
   Them [Obs.] --Chaucer.
   
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Hem \Hem\, n.
   An utterance or sound of the voice, hem or hm, often
   indicative of hesitation or doubt, sometimes used to call
   attention. "His morning hems." --Spectator.
   
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Hem \Hem\, v. i. [[root]15. See {Hem}, interj.]
   To make the sound expressed by the word hem; hence, to
   hesitate in speaking. "Hem, and stroke thy beard." --Shak.
   
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Hem \Hem\, n. [AS. hem, border, margin; cf. Fries. h[aum]mel,
   Prov. G. hammel hem of mire or dirt.]
   1. The edge or border of a garment or cloth, doubled over and
      sewed, to strengthen it and prevent raveling.
      
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   2. Border; edge; margin. "Hem of the sea." --Shak.
      
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   3. A border made on sheet-metal ware by doubling over the
      edge of the sheet, to stiffen it and remove the sharp
      edge.
      
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Hem \Hem\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Hemmed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Hemming}.]
   1. To form a hem or border to; to fold and sew down the edge
      of. --Wordsworth.
      
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   2. To border; to edge
      
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            All the skirt about
            Was hemmed with golden fringe.        --Spenser.
      
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   {To hem about}, {To hem around}, or {To hem in}, to inclose
      and confine; to surround; to environ. "With valiant
      squadrons round about to hem." --Fairfax. "Hemmed in to be
      a spoil to tyranny." --Daniel.

   {To hem out}, to shut out. "You can not hem me out of
      London." --J. Webster.
      
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