n.
Pronunciation: ' inch
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ynce, from Latin uncia ― more at OUNCE
Date: before 12th century
1 : a unit of length equal to 1/36 yard ― see WEIGHT table
2 : a small amount, distance, or degree <is like cutting a dog's tail off by inch es ― Milton Friedman>
3 plural : STATURE , HEIGHT
4 a : a fall (as of rain or snow) sufficient to cover a surface or to fill a gauge to the depth of one inch b : a degree of atmospheric or other pressure sufficient to balance the weight of a column of liquid (as mercury) one inch high in a barometer or manometer
5 : a small advantage especially from lenient or compassionate treatment ― usually used in the phrase give an inch
– every inch : to the utmost degree <looks every inch a winner>
– inch by inch : very gradually or slowly
– within an inch of : almost to the point of <came within an inch of succeeding>