stitch

Pronunciation: /stɪtʃ/

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Definition of stitch

noun

1a loop of thread or yarn resulting from a single pass or movement of the needle in sewing, knitting, or crocheting.
a loop of thread used to join the edges of a wound or surgical incision:he had to have sixteen stitches to his head
[usually with modifier] a method of sewing, knitting, or crocheting producing a particular pattern or design:basic embroidery stitches
[in singular, usually with negative] informal the smallest item of clothing:nymphs with come-hither looks and not a stitch on

2a sudden sharp pain in the side of the body, caused by strenuous exercise:he was panting and had a stitch

verb

[with object]

1make, mend, or join (something) with stitches:stitch a plain seam with right sides together they stitched the cut on her face (as adjective in combination -stitched)hand-stitched dresses

2 (stitch someone up) British informal manipulate a situation so that someone is placed at a disadvantage or wrongly blamed for something:he was stitched up by outsiders and ousted as chairman
(stitch something up) arrange or secure a deal or agreement to one’s advantage:the company has stitched up major deals all over the world to boost sales

Phrases

in stitches: informal laughing uncontrollably:his droll self-mockery had us in stitches
a stitch in time saves nine: proverb if you sort out a problem immediately it may save extra work later.

Derivatives

stitcher
stitchery
stitchless

Origin:

Old English stice 'a puncture, stabbing pain', of Germanic origin; related to German Stich 'a sting, prick', also to stick². The sense 'loop' (in sewing etc.) arose in Middle English

stitch in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of stitch in the US English dictionary

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Other

stitch

noun

verb

Phrases

in stitches

a stitch in time saves nine

Derivatives

stitcher

stitchery

stitchless

Origin:

stitch in other Oxford dictionaries

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