inch

ot noun

1. A very short distance. "Don't move an inch!"
2. A unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot, or exactly 2.54 centimetres.
3. The amount of water which would cover a surface to the depth of an inch, used as a measurement of rainfall.
4. The amount of an alcoholic beverage which would fill a glass or bottle to the depth of an inch.

fe’l verb

1. (followed by a preposition) To advance very slowly, or by a small amount (in a particular direction). Fearful of falling, he inched along the window ledge.
2. To drive by inches, or small degrees.
3. To deal out by inches; to give sparingly.