'To hem in' definitions:

Definition of 'To hem in'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]