inchmeal

[ inch-meel ]

adverb

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

inchmeal

/ ˈɪntʃˌmiːl /

adverb

1. gradually; inch by inch or little by little

Word History and Origins

Origin of inchmeal¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of inchmeal¹

C16: from inch ¹+ -mele, from Old English mælum quantity taken at one time; compare piecemeal