A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1399-1400, 1500-1624
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Hem, n. Also: heme. [ME. and OE. (once) hem(m.]
1. The border or edge of a garment or piece of armour. Also, a fringe or trimming for the edge of a garment.(1) a1400 Legends of the Saints xliv. 34.
A woman that of tweching Of Cristis heme … Gat hele quyt1511-12 Treasurer's Accounts IV. 231.
To Robert Spetele, tailȝour, ... for making of hir clethingis, ... chaffronis, hemmys, rubanis [etc.]15.. Dunb. App. viii. 14.
All drest with dyamantis … , Reverst with gold in every hem1531 Bell. Boece I. p. lii.
It drawis stra, flox, or hemmis of claithis to it(2) 1513 Doug. xii. vi. 172.
Betwix the helm … And vmast roll or hem of hys curas
2. The hem or outer part of a millstone.1584 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 370.
Mylne staynis, ilk stayne … beand twelf inche in the eye and ten inche in the hem 1589 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 137.
The lyand stane [of a mill] at the hem sex ynsche 1624 Peebles B. Rec. 365.
The overstane foure inches alyk at ey and heme
