inch: [OE] Inch and ounce both mean etymologically ‘one twelfth’, but while this ancestral sense has largely been lost sight of in the case of ounce, for inch it remains in force. The words’ common ancestor is Latin uncia, a term for a ‘twelfth part’ derived from unus ‘one’. This was borrowed into prehistoric Germanic as *ungkja, but it has not survived in any other Germanic language but English. => one, ounce
inch (n.1)
"linear measure, one-twelfth of a foot," late Old English ynce, Middle English unche (current spelling c. 1300), from Latin uncia "a twelfth part," from root of unus "one" (see one). An early borrowing from Latin, not found in any other Germanic language. Transferred and figurative sense of "a very small amount" is attested from mid-14c. For phrase give him an inch ... see ell.
inch (n.2)
"small Scottish island," early 15c., from Gaelic innis (genitive innse) "island, land by a river," from Celtic *inissi (cognates: Old Irish inis, Welsh ynys, Breton enez).
inch (v.)
"move little by little," 1590s, from inch (n.1). Related: Inched; inching.
双语例句
1. We are prepared to fight for every inch of territory.
我们时刻准备着为每一寸领土而战。
来自柯林斯例句
2. His life was saved by a quarter-inch-thick bullet-proof steel screen.
多亏一块1/4英寸厚的防弹钢板，他才捡了条命。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The bullet had passed less than an inch from Andrea's heart.
子弹在离安德烈亚的心脏不到一英寸的地方穿过。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Every inch of his arms and legs was ulcerated.
他四肢全都溃烂了。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Make a slit in the stem about half an inch long.