n. & v.
--n.
1. a (in sewing or knitting or crocheting etc.) a single pass of a needle or the thread or loop etc. resulting from this. b a particular method of sewing or knitting etc. (am learning a new stitch).
2 (usu. in pl.) Surgery each of the loops of material used in sewing up a wound.
3 the least bit of clothing (hadn't a stitch on).
4 an acute pain in the side of the body induced by running etc.
--v.tr.
1. sew; make stitches (in).
2 join or close with stitches.
Phrases and idioms:
in stitches colloq. laughing uncontrollably. a stitch in time a timely remedy. stitch up
1. join or mend by sewing or stitching.
2 sl. betray or cheat.
Derivatives:
stitcher n. stitchery n. stitchless adj.
Etymology: OE stice f. Gmc, rel. to STICK(2)