Hitches

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ˈhɪt͡ʃɪz/

Definitions

1. To catch or secure something briefly or to fasten an object onto another in a temporary manner; an unexpected problem or obstacle that causes a disruption in a process; a method of connecting two things, often involving loops or knots that allow for easy detachment and reattachment
2. The act of temporarily attaching or coupling items together; a challenge or issue that interrupts a planned course of action; a technique for linking objects, especially in a way that facilitates quick release
3. An attachment process where one thing is linked to another for a short time; a snarl or snag that interferes with progress; a way of fastening items together, often seen in nautical or mechanical contexts

Etymology: The plural "hitches" is simply the third-person singular of "hitch" as a verb, and the noun "hitch" in its modern senses is what gives the word its shape. Its own origin is murky: it probably comes from Middle English "hicchen" or "hytchen", meaning to move with a jerk, and it has no clear relatives in other languages. The sense of moving with a sudden tug is still visible in the idea of a snag or a catch. That jerking motion led to the everyday senses of tying or fastening something briefly. A hitch can be a knot, a coupling of a trailer to a vehicle, or a loop that grips a rope and releases with a pull. From there the word drifted into figurative use, so that a hitch became a small obstacle that jerks a plan out of its smooth path.

Synonyms: attachments, connections

Antonyms: detachments