Main Entry:

¹inch

Pronunciation:

\ˈinch\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English ynce, from Latin uncia — more at ounce

Date:

before 12th century

1: a unit of length equal to ¹⁄₃₆ yard — see weight table2: a small amount, distance, or degree <is like cutting a dog's tail off by inches — Milton Friedman>3plural : stature, height4 a: a fall (as of rain or snow) sufficient to cover a surface or to fill a gauge to the depth of one inch b: a degree of atmospheric or other pressure sufficient to balance the weight of a column of liquid (as mercury) one inch high in a barometer or manometer5: a small advantage especially from lenient or compassionate treatment —usually used in the phrase give an inch

— every inch

: to the utmost degree <looks every inch a winner>

— inch by inch

: very gradually or slowly

— within an inch of

: almost to the point of <came within an inch of succeeding>