hairsbreadth

[ hairz-bredth, -bretth, -breth ]

noun

1. a very small space or distance:

   We escaped an accident by a hairsbreadth.

adjective

1. extremely narrow or close.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hairsbreadth¹

First recorded in 1575–85

Example Sentences

He was more than once within a hairsbreadth of death but at length he was brought by his master, Kakinathucca, to his home.

From Project Gutenberg

He had a habit of darting them around a wide circle of objects, without turning his head a hairsbreadth.

From Project Gutenberg

We catch a word, a touch of flippancy, a suggestion of licence, a covert sneer which goes too far by a hairsbreadth.

From Project Gutenberg

He carefully turned an unconnected control knob a hairsbreadth with utmost deliberation and precision.

From Project Gutenberg

Not by a hairsbreadth has all that has passed in the interval lowered you in my eyes.

From Project Gutenberg