notch
pronunciation
How to pronounce notch in British English:
UK [nɒtʃ]
How to pronounce notch in American English:
US [nɑtʃ]
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- Noun:
- a V-shaped indentation
- the location in a range of mountains of a geological formation that is lower than the surrounding peaks
- a V-shaped or U-shaped indentation carved or scratched into a surface
- a small cut
-
- Verb:
- cut or make a notch into
- notch a surface to record something
Word Origin
- notch
- notch: [16] Not much is known for certain about the word notch, apart from the fact that its immediate source, Anglo-Norman noche, existed at least a couple of centuries before English acquired it. There may well be some connection with Old French oche ‘groove, notch’ (probable source of the English darts term oche ‘line where the dart-thrower stands’); the initial n could well have arisen by misdivision of a preceding indefinite article (as happened with nickname).=> oche
- notch (n.)
- 1570s, probably a misdivision of an otch (see N for other examples), from Middle French oche "notch," from Old French ochier "to notch," of unknown origin. Said to be unconnected to nock.
- notch (v.)
- 1590s, from notch (n.). Earlier verb (before misdivision) was Middle English ochen "to cut, slash" (c. 1400). Related: Notched; notching.
Synonym
Example
- 1. Malta , slovakia and slovenia were also downgraded by one notch .
- 2. It cut its rating on mcafee by a notch to " neutral . "
- 3. Last month standard & poor 's downgraded avon 's credit rating one notch .
- 4. It 's located in the notch that can be seen near the center of the photo .
- 5. Utility companies themselves could chip in by automatically turning down air conditioning a notch during times of peak demand .