Inch

(66), n. [A-S. ince, inch, indsa, ounce, from Lat. uncia, the twelfth part. See OUNCE.]

1. A measure of length, the twelfth part of a foot, commonly subdivided either decimally, as for scientific purposes, or into eighths, sixteenths, &c., as among mechanics. It was also formerly divided into twelve parts, called lines, and originally into three parts, called barley-corns, its length being supposed to have been determined from three grains of barley placed end to end lengthwise.
2. A small distance or degree, whether of time or space; hence, sometimes, a critical moment.

Bedame, I think we watched you at an inch. Shak. By inches, by slow degrees; gradually.—Inch of candle. See CANDLE.—Inch of water. See WATER-INCH.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. INCHED (ĭncht); p. pr. & vb. n. INCHING.]

1. To drive by inches, or small degrees. [Rare.]
2. To deal out by inches; to give sparingly. [Rare.] Ainsworth.