I. ˈnit, usu -id.+V verb
( knit or knitted or dialect knet ˈnet, usu -ed.+V ; knit or knitted or dialect knet ; knitting ; knits )
Etymology: Middle English knitten, from Old English cnyttan; akin to Middle Low German knütten to knit, knot together; denominatives from the root of English knot (I)
transitive verb
1. now chiefly dialect : to make fast or join with knots : tie together : form into a knot or into knots
2. : to cause to unite in a functional whole as if by knitting or knotting: as
a. : to link firmly or closely (as by interlocking, intertwining, or intertying)
knitted her hands until the knuckles blanched
: conjoin , cement , consolidate
knit the timbers into a sturdy frame
b. : to cause to grow together
time and rest will knit the fractured bone
c. : to bind by immaterial (as social or legal) ties
knit together by common interests
d. : to draw together : contract into wrinkles
knitting his brow in thought
3.
a. : to form (as a fabric or a garment) by the interlacing of a yarn or yarns in a series of connected loops by means of hand or machine needles
knitting socks to match the sweater
b. : to form or bring into being (some immaterial tie)
a new philosophy that knitted a new understanding between the classes
intransitive verb
1. : to make knitted fabrics or objects : do knitting
some women knit , others sew
2. : to unite into a functional whole as if by being knitted or knotted: as
a. : to become compact : consolidate
b. : to grow together
fractures in old bones knit slowly
c. : to become drawn together : contract into wrinkles
3. now dialect Britain
a.
(1) of fruit : set
(2) of a plant : to grow or set fruit
b. of bees : swarm
4. obsolete : effervesce , foam
II. noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
1.
a. : knitting or style of knitting
b. : knitted material
c. : knit stitch
2. : a contraction or wrinkling up (as of the brow)