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hem in

hem in
H h

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [hem in]
    • /hɛm ɪn/
    • /hem ɪn/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [hem in]
    • /hɛm ɪn/

Definitions of hem in words

  • verb with object hem in to fold back and sew down the edge of (cloth, a garment, etc.); form an edge or border on or around. 1
  • verb with object hem in to enclose or confine (usually followed by in, around, or about): hemmed in by enemies. 1
  • noun hem in an edge made by folding back the margin of cloth and sewing it down. 1
  • noun hem in the edge or border of a garment, drape, etc., especially at the bottom. 1
  • noun hem in the edge, border, or margin of anything. 1
  • noun hem in Architecture. the raised edge forming the volute of an Ionic capital. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of hem in

First appearance:

before 1000
One of the 6% oldest English words
before 1000; Middle English hem(m), Old English hem, probably akin to hamm enclosure; see home

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Hem in

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

hem in popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 92% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

hem in usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for hem in

verb hem in

  • beset — If someone or something is beset by problems or fears, they have many problems or fears which affect them severely.
  • border — The border between two countries or regions is the dividing line between them. Sometimes the border also refers to the land close to this line.
  • bound — Bound is the past tense and past participle of bind.
  • cage — A cage is a structure of wire or metal bars in which birds or animals are kept.
  • circle — A circle is a shape consisting of a curved line completely surrounding an area. Every part of the line is the same distance from the centre of the area.

Antonyms for hem in

verb hem in

  • release — to lease again.
  • let go — to move or proceed, especially to or from something: They're going by bus.
  • liberate — to set free, as from imprisonment or bondage.
  • free — enjoying personal rights or liberty, as a person who is not in slavery: a land of free people.
  • leave alone — separate, apart, or isolated from others: I want to be alone.

See also

Matching words

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