INCH

I. noun see: ounce Date: before 12th century a unit of length equal to 1/36 yard, a small amount, distance, or degree , stature , height , 4. a fall (as of rain or snow) sufficient to cover a surface or to fill a gauge to the depth of one ~, a degree of atmospheric or other pressure sufficient to balance the weight of a column of liquid (as mercury) one ~ high in a barometer or manometer, a small advantage especially from lenient or compassionate treatment, II. verb Date: 1599 intransitive verb to move by small degrees ; progress slowly , transitive verb to cause to move slowly , III. noun Etymology: Middle English (Scots), from Scottish Gaelic innis Date: 15th century island