Inch, v. i. To advance or retire
by inches or small degrees; to move slowly.
With slow paces measures back the field,
And inches to the walls.
Dryden.Inch, n. [OE. inche,
unche, AS. ynce, L. uncia the twelfth part,
inch, ounce. See Ounce a weight.]
1. A measure of length, the twelfth part of a
foot, commonly subdivided into halves, quarters, eights, sixteenths,
etc., as among mechanics. It was also formerly divided into twelve
parts, called lines, and originally into three parts, called
barleycorns, its length supposed to have been determined from
three grains of barley placed end to end lengthwise. It is also
sometimes called a prime (′), composed of twelve seconds
(′′), as in the duodecimal system of arithmetic.
12 seconds (′′) make 1 inch or
prime. 12 inches or primes (′) make 1
foot.
B. Greenleaf.
☞ The meter, the accepted scientific standard of length,
equals 39.37 inches; the inch is equal to 2.54 centimeters. See
Metric system, and Meter.
2. A small distance or degree, whether of
time or space; hence, a critical moment.
Beldame, I think we watched you at an
inch.
Shak.
By inches, by slow degrees, gradually.
-- Inch of candle. See under
Candle. -- Inches of pressure,
usually, the pressure indicated by so many inches of a mercury
column, as on a steam gauge. -- Inch of water.
See under Water. -- Miner's inch,
(Hydraulic Mining), a unit for the measurement of water.
See Inch of water, under Water.
Inch (?), n. [Gael. inis.]
An island; -- often used in the names of small islands off the
coast of Scotland, as in Inchcolm, Inchkeith,
etc. [Scot.]
Inch (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Inched (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Inching.]
1. To drive by inches, or small
degrees. [R.]
He gets too far into the soldier's grace
And inches out my master.
Dryden.
2. To deal out by inches; to give
sparingly. [R.]
Inch, a. Measuring an inch in any
dimension, whether length, breadth, or thickness; -- used in
composition; as, a two-inch cable; a four-inch
plank.
Inch stuff, boards, etc., sawed one inch
thick.