Knit
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈnɪt/
- Rhymes: -ɪt
- Homophones: nit
Origin
From Middle English knitten, from Old English cnyttan ("to fasten, tie, bind, knit; add, append"), from Proto-Germanic *knutjaną, *knuttijaną ("to make knots, knit"). Cognate with Old Norse knýta (Danish knytte) and Northern German knütten. More at knot.
Full definition of knit
Verb
- (transitive) and (intransitive) To turn thread or yarn into a piece of fabric by forming loops that are pulled through each other. This can be done by hand with needles or by machine.to knit a stockingThe first generation knitted to order; the second still knits for its own use; the next leaves knitting to industrial manufacturers.
- (figuratively, transitive) To join closely and firmly together.The fight for survival knitted the men closely together.
- WisemanNature cannot knit the bones while the parts are under a discharge.
- ShakespeareThy merit hath my duty strongly knit.
- MiltonCome, knit hands, and beat the ground,
In a light fantastic round. - TennysonA link among the days, to knit
The generations each to each. - (intransitive) To become closely and firmly joined; become compacted.
- (intransitive) To grow together.All those seedlings knitted into a kaleidoscopic border.
- (transitive) To combine from various elements.The witness knitted his testimony from contradictory pieces of hearsay.
- (intransitive) To heal (of bones) following a fracture.I’ll go skiing again after my bones knit.''
- (transitive) To form into a knot, or into knots; to tie together, as cord; to fasten by tying.
- Bible, Acts x. 11a great sheet knit at the four corners
- ShakespeareWhen your head did but ache,
I knit my handkercher about your brows. - To draw together; to contract into wrinkles.
- ShakespeareHe knits his brow and shows an angry eye.