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. 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. stitcher n. stitchery n. stitchless adj.
[ OE stice f. Gmc, rel. to STICK(2) ]