A unit of length in the U.S. Customary and British Imperial systems, equal to 1/12 of a foot (2.54 centimeters). See Table at measurement.
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.
[Middle English, from Old English ynce, from Latin ūncia, one twelfth of a unit; see oi-no- in Indo-European roots.]
"linear measure, one-twelfth of a foot," late O.E. ynce, M.E. unche (current spelling c.1300), from L. uncia "a twelfth part," from root of unus "one;" an early borrowing from L., not found in any other Gmc. language. Transf. and fig. sense of "a very small amount" is attested from c.1350. The verb meaning "move little by little" is first recorded 1599, from the noun. Inchworm first recorded 1861. For phrase give him an inch ... see ell.
inchAudio Help (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.
Inch\, n. [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 ("), as in the duodecimal system of arithmetic. 12 seconds (") 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 of time or space; hence, a critical moment. 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. 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. 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.
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Audio Help [inch] Pronunciation Key 
