Inch Definition
ĭnch
inched, inches, inching
noun
inches
A unit of length in the FPS system, equal to112 foot (2.54 cm)
Webster's New World
A fall (of rain, snow, etc.) equal to the amount that would cover a surface to the depth of one inch.
Webster's New World
A unit of pressure as measured by a barometer or manometer, traditionally equal to the pressure balanced by the weight on a one-inch column of liquid in the instrument.
Webster's New World
A very small amount, degree, or distance; trifle; bit.
Webster's New World
In Scotland and Ireland, an isolated piece of land, as a small island or hill.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
- column-inch
- in
- length
- unit
- move
- measurement
- creep
- tittle
- jot
- iota
- thoroughly
- in all respects
- step-by-step
- inch by inch
- 1/36 yard
verb
inched, inching
To move or cause to move slowly or by small degrees.
Inching along through stalled traffic; inched the chair forward.
American Heritage
To move by inches or degrees; move very slowly.
Webster's New World
To deal out by inches; to give sparingly.
Wiktionary
idiom
every inch
- In every respect; entirely:
American Heritage
inch by inch
- Very gradually or slowly.
American Heritage
within an inch of
- Almost to the point of:
came within an inch of death.
American Heritage
every inch
- in all respects; thoroughly
he's every inch a gentleman
Webster's New World
inch by inch
- gradually; slowly; by degrees
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Inch
- every inch
- inch by inch
- within an inch of
- every inch
- inch by inch
- within an inch of
- within an inch of one's life
Origin of Inch
-
Middle English from Old English ynce from Latin ūncia one twelfth of a unit oi-no- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
From Old English ynce, from Latin uncia (“twelfth part”). Compare ounce.
From Wiktionary
Middle English from Scottish Gaelic innis from Old Irish inis
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Gaelic innis
From Wiktionary
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