notch
/nɒtʃ
/noun
1An indentation or incision on an edge or surface: there was a notch in the end of the arrow for the bowstring...
- Black vine weevil adults chew irregular notches on the edges of hosta leaves.
- The swords are measured to ascertain that they are of equal length, and in no case must a sword with a sharp edge or a notch be allowed.
- The circuit boards comprise a notch in the top edge which receives a corresponding projection.
1.1Each of a series of holes for the tongue of a buckle: he tightened his belt an extra notch...
- On the positive side, I tried on my kilt again after weighing myself, and found that it fit comfortably again, albeit with the buckles at their loosest notches.
- But I guess it's time for me to put another notch in my belt buckle.
- My first indication that I'm going to need to let out my belt a couple of notches comes at the hotel's raclette and fondue evening.
1.2A nick made on something in order to keep a score or record: figurative I didn’t want to be just another notch on Nathan’s bedpost...
- As long as you made it by the time the guy in charge reached your name, you received a notch on the stick used to record your presence.
- He had cut notches into the wooden surface of the longbow, counting how many foes he had slain with the weapon; so far there were forty-nine marks.
- Carved notches may refer to the number of days before or after a particular event; the number of groups involved; or items needed for ceremonial purposes.
Synonyms
nick, cut, mark, incision, score, scratch, gash, slit, snick, slot, gouge, groove, furrow, cleft, indentation, dent
1.3A point or degree in a scale: her opinion of Nicole dropped a few notches...
- Having fun with the argument just edged it up a notch.
- If he swings enough minds with this piece, who knows, maybe the worship of the electronic musician that marks our era may be taken down a notch.
- Birds chirped, flapping in the swaying trees as the breeze picked up a notch.
Synonyms
degree, step, level, rung, point, mark, measure, grade, gradation, stage
2North American A deep, narrow mountain pass.Short sections of dirt roads connect trails that usually wind through notches.
verb [with object]
1Make notches in: (as adjective notched) notched bamboo sticks...
- Every serious hiker will want to notch this one up on their walking stick.
- Here I am, just over sixty, and I feel like the Grim Reaper already has me notched on his stick.
- Each flower has six erect round petals that are notched.
Synonyms
nick, cut, mark, score, incise, carve, engrave, scratch, gash, slit, slot, snick, gouge, groove, furrow, indent, make an indentation in, dent
1.1Secure or insert by means of notches: she notched her belt tighter...
- Half the arrows were notched as the second dragon burst from nowhere.
- She sheathed her swords and notched an arrow onto the string of her bow.
2Score or achieve (something): he notched up fifteen years' service with the company...
- It normally takes between four to six years to achieve this but it was notched up by John in just 15 months.
- The last million was notched up in just six months as 6,000 punters a day sign up to broadband.
- Kerry were regularly in trouble throughout the opening 20 minutes as the slick moving Meath forwards notched some sweet scores.
Synonyms
score, achieve, attain, secure, rack up, chalk up, gain, earn, make, register, record
Derivatives
notcher
Origin
Mid 16th century: probably from Anglo-Norman French noche, variant of Old French osche, of unknown origin.
Rhymes
- square go
- squarehead
- square knot
- square law
- square leg
- squarely
- square meal
- square measure
- Square Mile
- squareness
- square number
- square off
- square perch
- square piano
- square pole
- squarer
- square-rigged
- square-rigger
- square rod
- square root
- square sail
- square-shouldered
- square someone off
- square something away
- squaretail