Skjøter

Skjøter is a Norwegian noun, the plural form of “skjøt,” that denotes a seam, suture, or junction where two elements meet. In textile and garment manufacturing, a skjøt refers to the stitched line that joins fabric edges, providing structural integrity and shaping to clothing and other fabric items. Historically, the term derived from Old Norse “skjótr,” meaning a close or narrow opening, and it broadened to encompass any linear connection formed by stitching or binding.

In medical contexts, skjøter denotes sutures used to close wounds or surgical incisions. The practice of “å sette skjøter” (to place sutures) is a fundamental skill in nursing and surgery, with various techniques—interrupted, continuous, and subcuticular—employed according to tissue type and healing requirements. The word also appears in veterinary medicine, describing similar closure methods for animal surgery.

Beyond textiles and medicine, skjøter is used in civil engineering and road planning to describe a joint or crossover, such as the “skjøt” where two lanes intersect or where a new segment links to an existing road network. In cartography, the term may refer to a seam line on a map that indicates a transition between different map sheets.

The plural form appears in Norwegian literature and technical manuals, often in compound expressions like “kiletning-skjøter” (cutting seams) or “plastskjøter” (plastic seams). While the word is gender‑neutral, its singular form can be used with both masculine and feminine articles depending on dialectal preferences.