Inch
[ɪn(t)ʃ] or [ɪntʃ]
Definition
(n.) An island; -- often used in the names of small islands off the coast of Scotland, as in Inchcolm, Inchkeith, etc.
(n.) 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.
(n.) A small distance or degree, whether of time or space; hence, a critical moment.
(v. t.) To drive by inches, or small degrees.
(v. t.) To deal out by inches; to give sparingly.
(v. i.) To advance or retire by inches or small degrees; to move slowly.
(a.) Measurement an inch in any dimension, whether length, breadth, or thickness; -- used in composition; as, a two-inch cable; a four-inch plank.
Inputed by Joanna
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Twelfth part of a foot.
Edited by Cathryn
Definition
n. an island.
n. the twelfth part of a foot: proverbially a small distance or degree: (Shak.) a critical moment.—v.i. to move by slow degrees.—adj. Inched containing inches: marked with inches.—adv. Inch′meal by inches or small degrees: gradually.—Inch by inch By inches by small degrees; Every inch entirely thoroughly.
Inputed by Ezra
Examples
- Then he opened it another inch--then another. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Closing tarred Russian hemp cable, 15-3/4 inch circumference, for Argentine Battleship Rivadavia. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Cautious, very cautious, thought Emma; he advances inch by inch, and will hazard nothing till he believes himself secure. Jane Austen. Emma.
- Now it is known that one cubic inch of mercury weighs about half a pound. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- In the ventilator should be four or six tin tubes 1/2 inch in diameter and 6 inches long. William K. David. Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians.
- Each one of these is now cut into 150 pieces, each of which is beaten on an anvil till it is about an inch square. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- He would not put himself an inch out of his way at the bidding of king, cabinet, and chambers together. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- There were numerous dragon flies--one found in the Belgian coal-measures had a wing span of twenty-nine inches! H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- It is necessary that this drawing be made in four operations; the first and second are particularly interesting, on account of their depths, which are 5-1/2 and 9-3/16 inches, respectively. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Small holes a few inches apart are cut along a certain length of rock, into which steel wedges are inserted. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- The horses' hoofs have bored holes in these rocks to the depth of six inches during the hundreds and hundreds of years that the castle was garrisoned. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- Above this layer should be about 30 inches of dry sawdust or turners shavings, well packed up to the level of the top of the joists. William K. David. Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians.
- He was a heavy man about five feet ten inches tall and his hands and feet were large. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- In other words a force of 1 at a distance of 24 inches (2 feet) is equivalent to a force of 4 at a distance of 6 inches. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
Typed by Emile