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notch

(nŏch)

a. A V-shaped cut.

b. Such a cut used for keeping a record.

2. A narrow pass between mountains.

3. Informal A level or degree: a notch or two higher in quality.

tr.v. notched, notch·ing, notch·es

1. To cut a notch in.

2. To record by or as if by making notches: notched the score on a stick.

3. Informal To achieve; score: notched 30 wins in a single season.

[Probably from a notch, alteration of an otch, from French oche, from Old French, from ochier, to notch.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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