inch
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Old English ynce, from Latin uncia (“twelfth part”). Compare ounce.
Pronunciation [edit]
Noun [edit]
inch (plural inches)
- A unit of length equal to one-twelfth of a foot and equivalent to exactly 2.54 centimetres.
- (meteorology) The amount of water which would cover a surface to the depth of an inch, used as a measurement of rainfall.
- (figuratively) A very short distance.
- "Don't move an inch!"
Derived terms [edit]
Translations [edit]
unit of length
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unspecified but very short distance
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
Verb [edit]
inch (third-person singular simple present inches, present participle inching, simple past and past participle inched)
- (intransitive, followed by a preposition) To move very slowly (in a particular direction).
- Fearful of falling, he inched along the window ledge.
- 2012 May 9, John Percy, “Birmingham City 2 Blackpool 2 (2-3 on agg): match report”, the Telegraph:
- Already guarding a 1-0 lead from the first leg, Blackpool inched further ahead when Stephen Dobbie scored from an acute angle on the stroke of half-time. The game appeared to be completely beyond Birmingham’s reach three minutes into the second period when Matt Phillips reacted quickly to bundle the ball past Colin Doyle and off a post.
Derived terms [edit]
Translations [edit]
to move very slowly
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