Pronunciation: [hˈɛmd] (IPA) 
The word "Hemmed" is spelled with a silent "h" at the beginning, making the first sound the "eh" sound, represented by /ɛ/. The next sound is the "m" sound, represented by /m/, and the final sound is the "ed" sound, represented by /d/. The word is pronounced as /hɛmd/. This word means to fold and sew the edge of fabric, creating a clean finish. It is commonly used in sewing and garment making.
Hemmed is the past participle form of the verb "hem," derived from the Old English word "hemmian." It is used to describe the act of sewing or folding the edge of a piece of fabric or garment in order to create a neat and finished appearance or to prevent fraying.
In the context of sewing or tailoring, hemming refers to the process of sewing a folded edge onto a piece of fabric, typically to create a finished edge or to alter the length of a garment. It involves turning the raw edge of the fabric inward and stitching it securely to prevent unraveling. Hemming is commonly applied to trousers, skirts, dresses, shirts, and curtains, among other fabric-based items, to ensure a professional and polished finish.
The term "hemmed" is also used metaphorically, outside the realm of sewing, to signify restriction or confinement. When someone is "hemmed in" or "hemmed off," it suggests being enclosed or surrounded, often leaving little room for movement or escape. This can apply to physical situations, such as being trapped or blocked by obstacles, or metaphorically, when someone feels constrained or limited by circumstances or other individuals. The term "hemmed" thus implies a sense of being confined, restricted, or trapped, whether physically or metaphorically.
Enclosed; surrounded.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "hemmed" has its origins in Old English, where it was spelled as "hemian" or "hemmian". It comes from the Proto-Germanic word "hamjanan", which means "to surround" or "to enclose". This word is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*kem-" or "*kemə-", which signifies "to cover", "to veil", or "to enclose". Over time, "hem" evolved to primarily refer to the act of sewing or folding an edge of fabric to prevent it from fraying, creating a neat and finished appearance.
