hem
hem
/hem/
The edge of a piece of cloth or clothing that has been folded and sewn to prevent unraveling.
A hem is a finished edge. Figuratively, 'to hem in' means to surround and restrict someone or something, confining them to a limited space.
The story behind the word. The word 'hem' comes from the Old English 'hem', meaning 'a border, hem, or fringe'. It is derived from a Proto-Germanic root meaning 'to enclose' or 'to hem in', which explains why we use the phrase 'hemmed in' to describe feeling trapped or surrounded on all sides.
Word relationships
- border: A border is any outer edge, while a hem is specifically a folded and sewn edge of fabric.
- edge: An edge is the raw boundary of fabric, whereas a hem is a finished, secured boundary.
- raw edge: A raw edge is an unfinished, cut edge of fabric that is prone to fraying.
Commonly confused with
- seam: A hem is a finished edge of a single piece of fabric to prevent fraying, while a seam is the joint where two pieces of fabric are sewn together.
Word family
- hemmed (adjective): Finished with a hem, or surrounded/confined.
- hemming (noun): The act of sewing a hem.
Collocations
- hem a skirt
- rolled hem
- blind hem
- hemline
Idioms & expressions
- hem and haw
- hem in
Example sentences
- "She held up the hem of her long skirt to keep it from dragging in the mud." A classic novel describing a character's careful movements.
Memory hook
Think of 'hemming' a skirt to 'enclose' and protect the raw edge from fraying. Hem: the folded, finished edge.
When not to use
Do not confuse 'hem' with 'seam', which is the line where two separate pieces of fabric are joined together.
Fun facts
- The height of the 'hemline' (the level of the hem of a skirt) has historically been used by economists as an informal indicator of stock market trends, known as the 'Hemline Index'.
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