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inch `noun` [ ɪn(t)ʃ ]

• a unit of linear measure equal to one twelfth of a foot (2.54 cm).

• "the toy train is four inches long"

• (as a unit of rainfall) a quantity that would cover a horizontal surface to a depth of one inch, equivalent to 253.7 cubic metres per hectare.

• "more than four inches of rain is expected"

inch `verb`

• move along slowly and carefully.

• "he inched away as I approached"

Origin: late Old English ynce, from Latin uncia ‘twelfth part’, from unus ‘one’ (probably denoting a unit). Compare with ounce1.

inch `noun`

• a small island or a small area of high land.

• "Inchkeith"

Origin: Middle English: from Scottish Gaelic innis .

by inches

• only just.
"the shot missed her by inches"

every inch

• the whole surface, distance, or area.
"between them they know every inch of the country"

give an inch

• make the slightest concession.
"in the third match neither man gave an inch"

give someone an inch and they will take a mile

• once concessions have been made to someone they will demand a great deal.
"if the government has given an inch, pension companies have taken a mile"

inch by inch

• gradually.
"inch by inch he crept along the wall"

within an inch of

• very close to.
"her mouth was within an inch of his chin"

within an inch of one's life

• almost to the point of death.
"he was beaten within an inch of his life"

inch noun [ ɪn(t)ʃ ]

inch verb

inch noun