[ad. G. kettelstich chain-stitch; f. kettel a small chain + stich stitch.] In bookbinding: A knot made at the head and tail of a book in sewing it, by which the thread holding one sheet is fastened to the thread in the next.
1880. Zaehnsdorf, Bookbind., 17. The head and tail must now be sewn in to imbed the chain of the kettle stitch. Ibid., 21. The needle brought out of the kettle-stitch hole on the left or tail of the sheet.
