inch
UK: ɪntʃ | US: ɪntʃ
n. a unit of linear measure equal to 1/12 of a foot (2.54 cm)
v. to move slowly or in small increments
No data yet.
The word "inch" traces back to Old English ynce, derived from Latin uncia (meaning "one-twelfth part"), which referred to a 1/12 division of a Roman foot. This Latin root also gave rise to the word "ounce," reflecting its fractional nature. Over time, ynce evolved into Middle English inch, retaining its core meaning as a small unit of measurement. The verb form emerged later, metaphorically capturing the idea of gradual movement.
The shelf is 24 inches wide.
He inched forward in the traffic jam.
Cut the fabric into one-inch strips.
The glacier inched toward the valley over centuries.
She measured the gap to the nearest inch.