Topic: MEASUREMENT
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| Date: | 1000-1100 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | uncia 'one twelfth' |
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inch1 S2 W3
[countable]
[countable]1 written abbreviation inTM a unit for measuring length, equal to 2.54 centimetres. There are 12 inches in a foot. : The curtains were an inch too short. Rainfall here is under 15 inches a year.
The curtains were an inch too short.Rainfall here is under 15 inches a year.2 a very small distance :
3
every inch
a) completely or in every way :
b) the whole of an area or distance
4 used to say that if you allow someone a little freedom or power, they will try to take more
give somebody an inch and they'll take a yard/mile
6 to refuse to change your decision or opinion, even though people are trying to persuade you to do this : Neither side is prepared to give an inch in the negotiations.
not give/budge an inch
Neither side is prepared to give an inch in the negotiations.7 to beat someone very hard and thoroughly : Another word out of you and I'll beat you to within an inch of your life.
beat/thrash etc somebody to within an inch of their life
Another word out of you and I'll beat you to within an inch of your life.
