su|ture

su|ture «SOO chuhr», noun, verb, -tured, -tur|ing.

–n.

1. the sewing together or joining of two surfaces, especially the edges of a cut or wound.

2. a seam formed in sewing up a wound, the ends of a severed tendon or nerve, or the like.

3. one of the stitches or fastenings used.

4. the material used, such as catgut, linen, or silk.

5. the act of sewing together or joining as if by sewing.

6. a stitch or seam.

7. Anatomy. a) the line or seam where two bones, especially of the skull, join in an immovabe joint. b) the immovable joint itself: »

All of these [bones] are firmly united by immovable joints called sutures (Beals and Hoijer).

8. Zoology. the line between adjoining parts, such as that along which clamshells join: »

The sutures, the lines of junction of the septa with the wall of the shell, were nearly straight or only slightly curved (A. Franklin Shull).

9. Botany. the seam or line of junction between two edges, such as that along which pea pods split.

–v.t.

to unite by suture or in a similar manner.

╂[< Latin sūtūra < suere sew]