English Explanatory Dictionary

'em

English dictionary entry

Meanings

pron
  1. Them (now only in unstressed position following a consonant).

Pronunciation

əm /əm/ [əm] [m̩] [ɪm] [ɛm] en-us-'em.ogg

Word forms

'em em hem

Etymology

From earlier hem, from Middle English hem, from Old English heom (“them”, dative) of hie, originally a dative plural form but in Middle English coming to serve as an accusative plural as well. Cognate with Dutch hun (“them”), German ihnen (“them”). Now often treated as a colloquial apheretic form of them, which however derives from Old Norse rather than Old English.

Related words

'emselves 'er 'im 'um

Derived words

beat 'em up read 'em and weep count 'em go get 'em hold 'em Texas hold 'em howcatchem pick 'em shoot 'em up slickem stick 'em up up and at 'em
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