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The Collaborative International Dictionary
To hem about

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.

  2. To border; to edge

    All the skirt about Was hemmed with golden fringe.
    --Spenser.

    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.