hæm n. & v. --n. 1 a
the upper
part of a pig's
leg salted
and dried or smoked
for food. b the
meat from this. 2 the
back of the
thigh; the thigh and
buttock. 3 sl. (often attrib.) an
inexpert or unsubtle
actor or
piece of
acting. 4 (in full
radio ham) colloq. the
operator of an
amateur radio
station. --v.intr. & (often foll. by up) tr. (hammed, hamming) sl.
overact;
act or
treat emotionally or sentimentally. [OE ham,
hom f. a Gmc root
meaning 'be crooked']