INCH

inch, in

(noun) a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot

edge, inch

(verb) advance slowly, as if by inches; “He edged towards the car”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology 1

Noun

inch (plural inches)

A unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot, or exactly 2.54 centimetres.

(meteorology) The amount of water which would cover a surface to the depth of an inch, used as a measurement of rainfall.

The amount of an alcoholic beverage which would fill a glass or bottle to the depth of an inch.

(figuratively) A very short distance.

Verb

inch (third-person singular simple present inches, present participle inching, simple past and past participle inched)

(intransitive, followed by a preposition) To advance very slowly, or by a small amount (in a particular direction).

To drive by inches, or small degrees.

To deal out by inches; to give sparingly.

Etymology 2

Noun

inch (plural inches)

(Scotland) A small island

Usage notes

• Found especially in the names of small Scottish islands, e.g. Inchcolm, Inchkeith.

Anagrams

• Ch'in, Chin, chin, ichn-

Proper noun

Inch

A town in Wexford, Ireland.

Anagrams

• Ch'in, Chin, chin, ichn-

Source: Wiktionary


Inch, n. Etym: [Gael. inis.]

Definition: An island; -- often used in the names of small islands off the coast of Scotland, as in Inchcolm, Inchkeith, etc. [Scot.]

Inch, n. Etym: [OE. inche, unche, AS. ynce, L. uncia the twelfth part, inch, ounce. See Ounce a weight.]

1. A measure of length, the twelfth part of a foot, commonly subdivided into halves, quarters, eights, sixteenths, etc., as among mechanics. It was also formerly divided into twelve parts, called lines, and originally into three parts, called barleycorns, its length supposed to have been determined from three grains of barley placed end to end lengthwise. It is also sometimes called a prime ('), composed of twelve seconds ('\'b7), as in the duodecimal system of arithmetic. 12 seconds ('\'b7) make 1 inch or prime. 12 inches or primes (') make 1 foot. B. Greenleaf.

Note: The meter, the accepted scientific standard of length, equals 39.37 inches; the inch is equal to 2.54 centimeters. See Metric system, and Meter.

2. A small distance or degree, whether or time Beldame, I think we watched you at an inch. Shak. By inches, by slow degrees, gradually.

– Inch of candle. See under Candle.

– Inches of pressure, usually, the pressure indicated by so many inches of a mercury column, as on a steam gauge.

– Inch of water. See under Water.

– Miner's inch, (Hydraulic Mining), a unit for the measurement of water. See Inch of water, under Water.

Inch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inched; p. pr. & vb. n. Inching.]

1. To drive by inches, or small degrees. [R.] He gets too far into the soldier's grace And inches out my master. Dryden.

2. To deal out by inches; to give sparingly. [R.]

Inch, v. i.

Definition: To advance or retire by inches or small degrees; to move slowly. With slow paces measures back the field, And inches to the walls. Dryden.

Inch, a.

Definition: Measurement an inch in any dimension, whether length, breadth, or thickness; -- used in composition; as, a two-inch cable; a four- inch plank. Inch stuff, boards, etc., sawed one inch thick.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

25 December 2024

UNAMBIGUOUS

(adjective) having or exhibiting a single clearly defined meaning; “As a horror, apartheid...is absolutely unambiguous”- Mario Vargas Llosa


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