sewing

noun

1. the act or work of one who sews.
2. something sewn or to be sewn.

verb (used with object), sewed, sewn or sewed, sew·ing.

1. to join or attach by stitches.
2. to make, repair, etc., (a garment) by such means.
3. to enclose or secure with stitches: to sew flour in a bag.
4. to close (a hole, wound, etc.) by means of stitches (usually followed by up).

verb (used without object), sewed, sewn or sewed, sew·ing.

5. to work with a needle and thread or with a sewing machine.

Verb Phrases

6. sew up,
   1. Informal.to get or have a monopoly of; control exclusively.
   2. Informal.to complete or conclude (arrangements, negotiations, etc.) successfully: They were about to sew up the deal when the argument started.
   3. to gain or be assured of: He tried to sew up as many votes as possible before the convention.

verb (used with object), sewed, sew·ing.

1. to ground (a vessel) at low tide (sometimes fol by up).

verb (used without object), sewed, sew·ing.

2. (of a vessel) to be grounded at low tide.

noun

3. the amount of additional water necessary to float a grounded vessel.

noun

1. 1. a piece of cloth, etc, that is sewn or to be sewn
   2. (as modifier)sewing basket

verb sews, sewing, sewed, sewn or sewed

1. to join or decorate (pieces of fabric, etc) by means of a thread repeatedly passed through with a needle or similar implement
2. (tr; often foll by on or up) to attach, fasten, or close by sewing
3. (tr) to make (a garment, etc) by sewing

n.late 13c., “action of sewing;” c.1400, “sewn work,” verbal noun from sew (v.). Sewing machine is attested from 1847. v.Old English siwian “to stitch, sew, mend, patch, knit together,” earlier siowian, from Proto-Germanic *siwjanan (cf. Old Norse syja, Swedish sy, Danish sye, Old Frisian sia, Old High German siuwan, Gothic siujan “to sew”), from PIE root *syu- “to bind, sew” (cf. Sanskrit sivyati “sews,” sutram “thread, string;” Greek hymen “thin skin, membrane,” hymnos “song;” Latin suere “to sew, sew together;” Old Church Slavonic šijo “to sew,” šivu “seam;” Lettish siuviu, siuti “to sew,” siuvikis “tailor;” Russian švec “tailor”). Related: Sewed; sewing. To sew (something) up “bring it to a conclusion” is a figurative use attested by 1904.