inchmeal

American  

[inch-meel] / ˈɪntʃ mil /

adverb

1. by inches; inch; inch by inch; little by little.

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inchmeal British  

/ ˈɪntʃˌmiːl /

adverb

1. gradually; inch by inch or little by little

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Etymology

Origin of inchmeal

First recorded in 1520–30; inch ¹ + -meal

Example Sentences

“While facts remain to be proved, lawsuits like this highlight young people’s despair with the drawn-out pace of the unhurried, inchmeal, bureaucratic response to our most dire emergency,” she wrote in her decision late last week.

From Seattle Times

We are making inchmeal progress across the gritty surface of the Red Planet heading toward a distant crater.

From Seattle Times

He could be as patient as Death, that inchmeal stalker of his prey; he could be as ruthless as the sea, and incredibly generous upon occasion.

From Project Gutenberg

Torture me inchmeal!—to the last I'll smile, And bless him for his mercy!—but spare, oh spare my children!

From Project Gutenberg

LIMMEL—limb from limb; cf. "inchmeal"—bit by bit; Cymbeline, Act II.,

From Project Gutenberg