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inch by inch

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inch

1  [inch]
Use inch by inch in a Sentence
–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.
—Idioms
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:
bef. 1000; ME; OE ynce < L uncia twelfth part, inch, ounce. See ounce 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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inch 1   (ĭnch)   
n.   Abbr. in or in.

  1. 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.

  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.

[Middle English, from Old English ynce, from Latin ūncia, one twelfth of a unit; see oi-no- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

inch  (1)
"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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: inch
Pronunciation: 'inch
Function: noun
: a unit of length equal to 1/36 yard or 2.54 centimeters
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Idioms & Phrases

inch by inch

see by inches.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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