oversew, v.
(ˈəʊvəˌsəʊ)
[over- 5.]
trans. To sew overhand; to sew together two pieces of stuff, by laying them face to face with the edges coinciding, and passing the needle through both always in the same direction, so that the thread between the stitches lies over the edges. Sometimes called overhand, overseam, or overcast: see these words. In Embroidery, = overcast v. 7. Also transf. Hence ˈoverˌsewing vbl. n., ˈoverˌsewn ppl. a.
| 1864 in Webster. 1882 Caulfeild & Saward Dict. Needlework, Over-sewing, a method of Plain-sewing, otherwise known as Seaming, or Top-sewing, and executed somewhat after the manner of Over-casting. But the great difference between Over-sewing and Over-casting is that the former is closely and finely executed for the uniting of two selvedges or folds of material, and the latter is very loosely done, and only for the purpose of keeping raw edges from ravelling-out... In olden times this stitch was known by the name of Overhand. 1903 Tregaskis' Catal. Jan. 11/1 Six Handkerchiefs, hemstitched, very small cobweb border and oversewn ornament in the corners. 1938 L. M. Harrod Librarians' Gloss. 109 Oversewing, the act or process of sewing over and over the leaves of a book. 1969 R. Maingot Abdominal Operations (ed. 5) I. xxv. 428/2 The duodenal stump is next oversewn, securely closed, and inverted with sutures of fine silk. |