hitch

v. t. [ Cf. Scot. hitch a motion by a jerk, and hatch, hotch, to move by jerks, also Prov. G. hiksen, G. hinken, to limp, hobble; or E. hiccough; or possibly akin to E. hook. ] 1. To become entangled or caught; to be linked or yoked; to unite; to cling. [ 1913 Webster ]

Atoms . . . which at length hitched together. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To move interruptedly or with halts, jerks, or steps; -- said of something obstructed or impeded. [ 1913 Webster ]

Slides into verse, and hitches in a rhyme. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

To ease themselves . . . by hitching into another place. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To hit the legs together in going, as horses; to interfere. [ Eng. ] Halliwell.

v. i. To hitchhike; -- mostly used in the phrase to hitch a ride; as, he hitched his way home; he hitched a ride home. [ PJC ]

n. 1. A catch; anything that holds, as a hook; an impediment; an obstacle; an entanglement. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The act of catching, as on a hook, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A stop or sudden halt; a stoppage; an impediment; a temporary obstruction; an obstacle; as, a hitch in one's progress or utterance; a hitch in the performance. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A sudden movement or pull; a pull up; as, the sailor gave his trousers a hitch. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Naut.) A knot or noose in a rope which can be readily undone; -- intended for a temporary fastening; as, a half hitch; a clove hitch; a timber hitch, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Geol.) A small dislocation of a bed or vein. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. & v. t. See Hatchel. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To travel by getting free rides from passing vehicles; as, to hitchhike across the country. [ WordNet 1.5 ]