stitch

[[t]stɪ̱tʃ[/t]]

stitches, stitching, stitched

1) VERB If you stitch cloth, you use a needle and thread to join two pieces together or to make a decoration.

[V n adv/prep] Fold the fabric and stitch the two layers together...

We stitched incessantly.

[V n] ...those patient ladies who stitched the magnificent medieval tapestries.

Syn:

sew

2) N-COUNT Stitches are the short pieces of thread that have been sewn in a piece of cloth.

...a row of straight stitches...

You can use embroidery stitches for further decoration.

3) N-COUNT In knitting and crochet, a stitch is a loop made by one turn of wool around a knitting needle or crochet hook.

Her mother counted the stitches on her knitting needles...

She kept dropping stitches.

4) N-UNCOUNT: usu n N If you sew or knit something in a particular stitch, you sew or knit in a way that produces a particular pattern.

The design can be worked in cross stitch.

...a woolly vest knitted in garter stitch.

5) VERB When doctors stitch a wound, they use a special needle and thread to sew the skin together.

[V n] Jill washed and stitched the wound.

Syn:

suture

PHRASAL VERB

Stitch up means the same as stitch.

V P n (not pron) Dr Armonson stitched up her wrist wounds... V n P They've taken him off to hospital to stitch him up.

6) N-COUNT A stitch is a piece of thread that has been used to sew the skin of a wound together.

He had six stitches in a head wound.

Syn:

suture

7) N-SING A stitch is a sharp pain in your side, usually caused by running or laughing a lot.

8) PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR If you are in stitches, you cannot stop laughing. [INFORMAL]

Here's a book that will have you in stitches.

Phrasal Verbs:

- stitch up