Nearby Words
noun
1.
a unit of length, 1/12 foot, equivalent to 2.54 centimeters.
2.
a very small amount of anything; narrow margin: to win by an inch; to avert disaster by an inch.
verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
3.
to move by inches or small degrees: We inched our way along the road.
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Every inch
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
4.
by inches,
a.
narrowly; by a narrow margin: escaped by inches.
b.
Also, inch by inch. by small degrees or stages; gradually: The miners worked their way through the narrow shaft inch by inch.
5.
every inch, in every respect; completely: That horse is every inch a thoroughbred.
6.
within an inch of, nearly; close to: He came within an inch of getting killed in the crash.
Origin:
before 1000; Middle English; Old English ynce < Latin uncia twelfth part, inch, ounce. See ounce1
before 1000; Middle English; Old English ynce < Latin uncia twelfth part, inch, ounce. See ounce1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To every inch
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
inch
"small Scottish island," early 15c., from Gael. innis (gen. innse) "island, land by a river."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
inch  (ĭnch) Pronunciation Key
A unit of length in the US Customary System equal to 1/12 of a foot (2.54 centimeters). See Table at measurement. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
every inch
Completely, wholly, as in He was every inch a leader, or I had to argue this case every inch of the way. [Early 1400s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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