inch

inch
inch1 W3S2 [ıntʃ] n
[Date: 1000-1100; : Latin; Origin: uncia 'one twelfth']
1.) written abbreviation in
a unit for measuring length, equal to 2.54 centimetres. There are 12 inches in a foot.
▪ The curtains were an inch too short.
▪ Rainfall here is under 15 inches a year.
a one/two/three etc inch sth
▪ a six inch nail
2.) a very small distance
▪ Derek leaned closer, his face only inches from hers.
▪ The bus missed us by inches .
▪ On several occasions they came within inches of death.
3.) every inch
a) completely or in every way
▪ With her designer clothes and elegant hair, she looks every inch the celebrity.
b) the whole of an area or distance
every inch of
▪ Every inch of space in the tiny shop was crammed with goods.
▪ Italy deserved to win, though Greece made them fight every inch of the way .
4.) give sb an inch and they'll take a yard/mile
used to say that if you allow someone a little freedom or power, they will try to take more
5.) inch by inch
moving very gradually and slowly
▪ Inch by inch, he lowered himself from the roof.
6.) not give/budge an inch
to refuse to change your decision or opinion, even though people are trying to persuade you to do this
▪ Neither side is prepared to give an inch in the negotiations.
7.) beat/thrash etc sb to within an inch of their life
to beat someone very hard and thoroughly
▪ Another word out of you and I'll beat you to within an inch of your life.
inch 2
inch2 v [I,T always + adverb/preposition]
to move very slowly in a particular direction, or to make something do this
▪ I inched forward along the ground.

Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Inch — Inch, n. [OE. inche, unche, AS. ynce, L. uncia the twelfth part, inch, ounce. See {Ounce} a weight.] [1913 Webster] 1. A measure of length, the twelfth part of a foot, commonly subdivided into halves, quarters, eights, sixteenths, etc., as among… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • inch — inch1 [inch] n. [ME inche < OE ynce < L uncia, twelfth part, inch, OUNCE1] 1. a unit of length in the FPS system, equal to 1/ 12 foot (2.54 cm): symbol, ″: abbrev. in 2. a fall (of rain, snow, etc.) equal to the amount that would cover a… …   English World dictionary

  • Inch — 〈[ ı̣ntʃ] m. od. n.; , es; bei Maßangaben Pl.: ; Abk.: in.; 〉 engl. Längenmaß, Zoll, 2,54 cm [engl.] * * * Inch [ɪnt̮ʃ], der; [es], es […t̮ʃɪs] <aber: 4 Inch[es]> [engl. inch, aengl. ynce < lat. uncia, ↑ 1Unze]: Längeneinheit in… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • inch — [ɪntʆ] noun [countable] a unit for measuring length, equal to 2.54 centimetres * * * Ⅰ. inch UK US /ɪnʃ/ noun [C] (abbreviation in., symbol ʺ) ► MEASURES a unit of measure equal to one twelfth of a foot or 2.54 centimetres: » …   Financial and business terms

  • inch — ► NOUN 1) a unit of linear measure equal to one twelfth of a foot (2.54 cm). 2) a quantity of rainfall that would cover a horizontal surface to a depth of one inch. 3) a very small amount or distance: don t yield an inch. ► VERB ▪ move along… …   English terms dictionary

  • Inch —    INCH, a parish, in the county of Wigton, 2½ miles (E.) from Stranraer; containing, with the hamlets of Aird, Cairnryan, and Lochans, 2950 inhabitants. This place, which is of great antiquity, and distinguished for its lochs, appears to have… …   A Topographical dictionary of Scotland

  • Inch — Inch, a. Measuring an inch in any dimension, whether length, breadth, or thickness; used in composition; as, a two inch cable; a four inch plank. [1913 Webster] {Inch stuff}, boards, etc., sawed one inch thick. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • inch — inch·er; inch·ling; inch·ma·ree; inch·meal; inch; mi·cro·inch; mil·inch; …   English syllables

  • inch — s.m. Unitate de măsură pentru lungime, egală cu 2,54 cm, folosită în Anglia şi în Statele Unite ale Americii. [pr.: inci] – cuv. engl. Trimis de valeriu, 25.11.2008. Sursa: DEX 98  inch (unitate de măsură pentru lungime) s. m. [pron. engl. inci] …   Dicționar Român

  • Inch — Inch, v. i. To advance or retire by inches or small degrees; to move slowly; as, to inch forward. [1913 Webster] With slow paces measures back the field, And inches to the walls. Dryden. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • inch — n a unit of length equal to 1/36 yard or 2.54 centimeters * * * (in) (inch) a unit of linear measure, one twelfth of a foot, being the equivalent of 2.54 cm …   Medical dictionary

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