inch

inch
    n 1: a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot [syn:
         {inch}, {in}]
    2: a unit of measurement for advertising space [syn: {column
       inch}, {inch}]
    v 1: advance slowly, as if by inches; "He edged towards the car"
         [syn: {edge}, {inch}]
    

Inch \Inch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Inched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Inching}.]
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   1. To drive by inches, or small degrees. [R.]
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            He gets too far into the soldier's grace
            And inches out my master.             --Dryden.
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   2. To deal out by inches; to give sparingly. [R.]
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Inch \Inch\, n. [OE. inche, unche, AS. ynce, L. uncia the
   twelfth part, inch, ounce. See {Ounce} a weight.]
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   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.
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   Note: The symbol ' is the same symbol as the light accent, or
         the "minutes" of an arc. The "seconds" symbol should
         actually have the two strokes closer than in repeated
         "minutes", but in this dictionary '' will be
         interpreted as "seconds".
         [PJC]

               12 seconds ('') make 1 inch or prime. 12 inches
               or primes (') make 1 foot.         --B.
                                                  Greenleaf.
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   Note: 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}.
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   2. A small distance or degree, whether of time or space;
      hence, a critical moment; also used metaphorically of
      minor concessins in bargaining; as, he won't give an inch;
      give him an inch and he'll take a mile.
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            Beldame, I think we watched you at an inch. --Shak.
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   {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}.
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Inch \Inch\ ([i^]nch), n. [Gael. inis.]
   An island; -- often used in the names of small islands off
   the coast of Scotland, as in Inchcolm, Inchkeith, etc.
   [Scot.]
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Inch \Inch\, v. i.
   To advance or retire by inches or small degrees; to move
   slowly; as, to inch forward.
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         With slow paces measures back the field,
         And inches to the walls.                 --Dryden.
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Inch \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.
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   {Inch stuff}, boards, etc., sawed one inch thick.
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INCH. From the Latin uncia. A measure of length, containing one-twelfth part 
of a foot. 
    

81 Moby Thesaurus words for "inch":
      ace, amble, bit, bowshot, brief span, claudicate, close quarters,
      close range, crack, crawl, creep, crowd, dogtrot, drag, drag along,
      drag out, drive on, earreach, earshot, forge ahead, go dead slow,
      go on tiptoe, go slow, grovel, gumshoe, gunshot, hair, hair space,
      hairbreadth, hairsbreadth, hobble, idle, inch along, inch forward,
      jog-trot, laze, limp, little, little ways, mosey, muddle through,
      nightwalk, pad, pistol shot, poke, poke along, press forward,
      press on, prowl, push, push forward, push on, pussyfoot, saunter,
      scrabble, scramble, short distance, short piece, short way,
      shuffle along, sidle, slink, snake, sneak, span, spitting distance,
      stagger along, steal, steal along, step, stroll, tippytoe, tiptoe,
      toddle, toddle along, totter along, traipse, waddle, walk, worm,
      worm along