stretch·er / ˈstrechər/ • n. 1. a framework of two poles with a long piece of canvas slung between them, used for carrying sick, injured, or dead people. ∎  a gurney.2. a thing that stretches something, in particular: ∎  a wooden frame over which a canvas is spread and tautened ready for painting. ∎ archaic, inf. an exaggeration or lie.3. a rod or bar joining and supporting chair legs. ∎  a crosspiece in the bottom of a boat on which a rower’s feet are braced.4. a brick or stone laid with its long side along the face of a wall. Compare with header (sense 3).

stretcher. See brickwork.