A lineal measure, the twelfth part of a foot, Proverbially, a small quantity or degree; the least part or amount, usually, the pressure indicated by so many inches of a mercury column, as on a steam gauge, verb_ advance slowly, as if by inches, intransitive & transitive verb_ To move or cause to move slowly or by small degrees, transitive verb_ rare To drive by inches, or small degrees, rare To deal out by inches; to give sparingly