from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
[1913 Webster]
2. To border; to edge
[1913 Webster]
All the skirt about
Was hemmed with golden fringe. --Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
{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.
[1913 Webster]