stitch

 
Pronunciation: /stɪtʃ/

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

noun

stitchery

noun

stitchless

adjective

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