hem
$ \mathrm{hem}^1 |hem|
https://gyazo.com/f913221728d353252507c841647572ef
source: ふしぎ研究部夜の部
noun
the edge of a piece of cloth or clothing which has been turned under and sewn:
(スカート, ズボンなどの)すそ; (服などの折り返して縫った)へり, 縁, ヘム
e.g. the hem of her dress
e.g. she took up the hem.
verb (hems, hemming, hemmed) with object
1. turn under and sew the edge of (a piece of cloth or clothing):
〈衣服など〉のすそ［へり］を縫う, …を縁取りをする
e.g. she began to hem a border.
2. (hem someone/something in) surround and restrict the space or movement of someone or something:
〖be ～med〗 〈人が〉(動けないように)取り囲まれる, (包囲して)封じ込められる, 〈場所が〉囲まれる; (精神的に)〈人が〉束縛される, 縛られている気持ちにさせられる(in)
e.g. he was hemmed in by the tables.
ORIGIN
Old English ‘border of a piece of cloth’, of West Germanic origin. The verb senses date from the mid 16th century.
$ \mathrm{hem}^2 |hem|
exclamation
used in writing to indicate a sound made when coughing or clearing the throat to attract someone's attention or express hesitation.
えへん, ふん (!ためらいや人の注意をひくための軽いせきばらい; → hum)
verb (hems, hemming, hemmed) no object archaic
make a sound in the throat when hesitating or as a signal:
軽いせきばらいをする; 口ごもる
e.g. Jane, if any one is about, come to the foot of the stairs and hem.
PHRASES
hem and haw
mainly North American hesitate; be indecisive:
e.g. I waste a lot of time hemming and hawing before going into action.
ORIGIN
late 15th century: imitative.