inched

inch ¹

 (ĭnch)

n. Abbr. in or in.

1. A unit of length in the US Customary and British Imperial systems, equal to ¹/₁₂ of a foot (2.54 centimeters). See Table at measurement.

2. A fall, as of rain or snow, sufficient to cover a surface to the depth of one inch.

3. 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.

4. 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.

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[Middle English, from Old English ynce, from Latin ūncia, one twelfth of a unit; see oi-no- in Indo-European roots.]

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inch ²

 (ĭnch)

n. Scots

A small island.

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[Middle English, from Scottish Gaelic innis, from Old Irish inis.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.