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n. Abbr. in or in. 1. A unit of length in the US Customary and British Imperial systems, equal to 1/12 of a foot (2.54 centimeters). See Table at measurement. 2. A fall, as of rain or snow, sufficient to cover a surface to the depth of one inch. 3. A unit of atmospheric pressure that is equal to the pressure exerted by a one-inch column of mercury at the earth's surface at a temperature of 0°C. 4. A very small degree or amount: won't budge an inch. intr. & tr.v. inched, inch·ing, inch·es Idioms: To move or cause to move slowly or by small degrees: inching along through stalled traffic; inched the chair forward. every inch In every respect; entirely: "Ay, every inch a king!" (Shakespeare). inch by inch Very gradually or slowly. within an inch of Almost to the point of: came within an inch of death. [Middle English, from Old English ynce, from Latin ūncia, one twelfth of a unit; see oi-no- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
n. Scots A small island. [Middle English, from Scottish Gaelic innis, from Old Irish inis.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
