I. ˈnäch noun
( -es )
Etymology: perhaps alteration (resulting from incorrect division of an otch ) of (assumed) otch, from Middle French oche
1.
a. : a V-shaped indentation or hollow (as in a surface or edge)
b.
(1) : a slit or cut made in something especially to serve as a mark or record : nick
supposed to be three notches on the butt of his business six-shooter — Green Peyton
(2) : a run in cricket
c. : undercut
d. : a half-moon (as in a thumb index) cut in book leaves at the fore edge to provide space for an identification guide
e. : a space cut out in the safety roller of lever escapements and in the staff of duplex escapements of watches to permit passage of a safety finger piece during impulse to the balance
f.
(1) : a small V-shaped cut or one of several cuts along the edge of clothing patterns to be used as an aid in assembling a garment
(2) : a V-shaped angle at the joining of lapel and collar on a garment
2. : a narrow passage between two mountains or other elevations : a deep close pass : defile , gap
the most historic of nine notches … which are scattered through these mountains — Ford Times
— often used in place names
Crawford Notch
3. : a degree, step, or peg
his voice rose another notch — Earle Birney
this book … is notches above the usual product — Louise D. Rich
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
transitive verb
1.
a. obsolete : to cut (the hair) unevenly or poorly
b.
(1) : to cut or make a notch in : indent
fitted together by notching the ends — American Guide Series: Minnesota
the much steeper continental slope, notched by the mouths of the gorges — R.E.Coker
(2) : to score, mark, or record by or as if by means of a notch
notched another kill on the butt of his gun
(3) : to score, gain, or achieve successfully
notched his second victory against three losses — New York Times
wrote the thesis which notched him his M.D. — Sydney ( Australia ) Bulletin
notched his thirteenth consecutive perfect performance — Postal Service News
notched himself a place in Spanish history — Hamilton Basso
c. : to make an undercut in
notch a tree
2. : to fit (the arrow) to the string : nock
3.
a. : to fasten or insert by means of a notch
logs being notched into each other at the corners — American Guide Series: Texas
b. : to give a particular shape or form to by making notches — used with into
4. : to change the position of (a control device) step by step
intransitive verb
: to make or form a notch
the path notched into the jungle wall — William Faulkner