inch
1 (ĭnch)
[Middle English, from Old English ynce, from Latin ūncia, one twelfth of a unit.]
noun
- A unit of length in the U.S. Customary and British Imperial systems, equal to of a foot (2.54 centimeters).
- A fall, as of rain or snow, sufficient to cover a surface to the depth of one inch.
- A unit of atmospheric pressure that is equal to the pressure exerted by a one-inch column of mercury at the earth's surface at a temperature of 0°C.
- A very small degree or amount: won't budge an inch.
intr. & tr.v.: inched, inch·ing, inch·es.
- To move or cause to move slowly or by small degrees: inching along through stalled traffic; inched the chair forward.
idioms
- every inch
- In every respect; entirely: “Ay, every inch a king!” (Shakespeare)
- inch by inch
- Very gradually or slowly.
- within an inch of
- Almost to the point of: came within an inch of death.
inch
2 (ĭnch)
[Middle English, from Scottish Gaelic innis, from Old Irish inis.]
noun
Scots- A small island.
