knit

[nit] /nɪt/
verb (used with object), knitted or knit, knitting.
1.
to make (a garment, fabric, etc.) by interlocking loops of one or more yarns either by hand with knitting needles or by machine.
2.
to join closely and firmly, as members or parts (often followed by together):
The tragedy knitted the family closer together.
3.
to contract into folds or wrinkles:
to knit the brow.
4.
to form or create from diverse sources or elements:
She knitted her play from old folk tales and family anecdotes.
verb (used without object), knitted or knit, knitting.
5.
to become closely and firmly joined together; grow together, as broken bones do.
6.
to contract into folds or wrinkles, as the brow.
7.
to become closely and intimately united.
noun
8.
fabric produced by knitting.
9.
a knitted garment.
10.
a style or type of knitting.
11.
the basic stitch in knitting, formed by pulling a loop of the working yarn forward through an existing stitch and then slipping that stitch off the needle.
Compare purl1 (def 3).
Origin
before 1000; Middle English knitte, Old English cnyttan to tie; cognate with German knütten; see knot1
Related forms
knittable, adjective
knitter, noun
preknit, verb (used with object), preknitted or preknit, preknitting.
reknit, verb, reknitted or reknit, reknitting.
Synonyms
2. bind, link, unite.
Examples from the web for knit
  • However, there are already many examples where such traits change rapidly in tight-knit communities.
  • Irregular bits and shredded pieces knit together so it stays in place.
  • As its mouthful of a hyphenated name suggests, though, this town wasn't always so tight-knit.
  • knit or crocheted, they transform what would otherwise be discarded into cozy winter accessories that brighten the dreariest days.
  • Made entirely by hand, it is embellished with hand-knit scalloping at the cuffs and hem, and hand-painted ceramic buttons.
  • The encounters were often wary or violent, but they were the reunions of a close-knit family.
  • True cavers are a tight-knit group that do not readily share information about the whereabouts of holes in the ground.
  • Today the world is knit together with cargo ships and jetliners, advertising campaigns and television reruns.
  • The gorgeous grounds, the rich history, the academic prestige and close-knit community-all were a great fit for us.
  • He wanted a campus where people were close-knit, open to diversity, and not too cliquish or too rowdy.
British Dictionary definitions for knit

knit

/nɪt/
verb knits, knitting, knitted, knit
1.
to make (a garment, etc) by looping and entwining (yarn, esp wool) by hand by means of long eyeless needles (knitting needles) or by machine (knitting machine)
2.
to join or be joined together closely
3.
to draw (the brows) together or (of the brows) to come together, as in frowning or concentrating
4.
(of a broken bone) to join together; heal
noun
5.
  1. a fabric or garment made by knitting
  2. (in combination): a heavy knit
Derived Forms
knittable, adjective
knitter, noun
Word Origin
Old English cnyttan to tie in; related to Middle Low German knütten to knot together; see knot1
Word Origin and History for knit
v.

Old English cnyttan "to tie with a knot, bind, fasten," related to Old Norse knytja "bind together," Middle Low German knütten "to tie, knot," Old English cnotta "a knot," from Proto-Germanic *knuttjan, from stem *knutt-. Of brows, late 14c. Meaning "to do knitting" (especially plain stitch) is from 1520s. Related: Knitted; knitting.