em-

¹

1. variant of en- before b, p, and sometimes m:

   embalm.

em-

²

1. variant of en- before b, m, p, ph:

   embolism, emphasis.

em

³

[em]

noun

plural

ems 

1. the letter M, m.

2. Also called mut, mutton. Printing.

   1. the square of any size of type used as the unit of measurement for matter printed in that type size.

   2. (originally) the portion of a line of type occupied by the letter M in type of the same size.

3. em pica.

adjective

1. Printing.,  having the area of an em quad or the length of an em dash.

'em

⁴

[uhm]

pronoun

Informal.

1. them.

   Put 'em down there.

Em

⁵

Symbol, Physical Chemistry.

1. emanation.

EM

⁶

abbreviation

1. electromagnetic.

2. electromotive.

3. electronic mail.

4. electron microscope; electron microscopy.

5. end matched.

6. Engineer of Mines.

7. enlisted man; enlisted men.

E.M.

⁷

abbreviation

1. Earl Marshal.

2. Engineer of Mines.

em

¹

/ ɛm /

noun

1. Also called: mutton.  mut. the square of a body of any size of type, used as a unit of measurement

2. Also called: pica em.  pica. a unit of measurement used in printing, equal to one sixth of an inch

'em

²

/ əm /

pronoun

1. an informal variant of them

em-

³

prefix

1. before b, m, and p, a variant of en- 1 en- 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of em¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Origin of em²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English hem, Old English heom, dative and accusative plural of he ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of em¹

C19: from the name of the letter M

Example Sentences

“We only keep democracy alive, is all. Is it worth it? Well, ask the Cincinnati city council — a third of ‘em, indicted on bribery charges today thanks to our reporting.”

From Salon

“Some of em last for a long time if we’re lucky, but most of them are fleeting,” he wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

“Oh God, man. Well, we can count ’em, I guess,” he says, when asked how many are in his CV.

From Los Angeles Times

Red America is in full “lock ’em up” mode.

From Salon

“I don’t want to flare ‘em back up.”

From Los Angeles Times