Definitions for: Inch


[n] a unit of length (in United States and Britain) equal to one twelfth of a foot
[n] a unit of measurement for advertising space
[v] advance slowly, as if by inches; "He edged towards the car"



Webster (1913) Definition: Inch, n. [Gael. inis.]
An island; -- often used in the names of small islands off
the coast of Scotland, as in Inchcolm, Inchkeith, etc.
[Scot.]


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.

Synonyms: column inch, edge, in

See Also: advance, area unit, edge in, edge up, em, foot, ft, go on, ligne, linear unit, march on, mesh, mil, move on, pass on, pica, pica em, progress, square measure

Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder

Scrabble Cheat

Words With Friends Cheat

Hanging With Friends Cheat

Scramble With Friends Cheat

Ruzzle Cheat



Related Resources:
animals beginning with j
f letter animals