stitch

views updated May 11 2018

stitch / stich/ • n. 1. a 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: a neck wound requiring forty stitches. ∎  a method of sewing, knitting, or crocheting producing a particular pattern or design: basic embroidery stitches. ∎  inf. the smallest item of clothing: a man answered the door without a stitch on.2. a sudden sharp pain in the side of the body, caused by strenuous exercise: she ran with a stitch in her side.• v. [tr.] make, mend, or join (something) with stitches: stitch a plain seam with right sides together they stitched the cut on her face| [as adj.] , [in comb.] (stitched) hand-stitched English dresses. PHRASES: in stitches inf. laughing uncontrollably: his unique brand of droll self-mockery had his audiences in stitches.DERIVATIVES: stitch·er n.stitch·er·y n.

stitch

views updated May 17 2018

stitch †prick, puncture OE. (only); sharp sudden local pain; (from the vb.) movement of a needle and thread XIII; portion of thread left as a result of this XIV. OE. stiċe = OS. stiki prick, stab, OHG. stih (G. stich) prick, sting, stitch, Goth. stiks point :- Gmc. *stikiz, f. *stik- STICK2.
Hence stitch vb. †stab with pain; fasten with stitches XIII. Hence stitchwort plant reputed to cure the stitch in the side. XIII.

stitch

views updated May 17 2018

stitch (stich) n.
1. a sharp localized pain, commonly in the abdomen, associated with strenuous physical activity. It is a form of cramp.

2. see suture.