English · Body & Health
stitches
/ˈstɪtʃ.ɪz/
[/ˈstɪtʃ.ɪz/]
surgical sutures
Intermediatenoun
Definition
Small loops of thread used by doctors to hold the edges of a wound together so it can heal.
Example
The deep cut on his hand needed five stitches at the hospital emergency room.
The deep cut on his hand needed five stitches at the hospital emergency room.
Etymology
Plural of 'stitch', from Old English 'stice' meaning 'a prick or sting'.
How & Where It’s Used
Used in medical and sewing contexts; medically, often the same as 'sutures'.