Etymology : perhaps alteration of otch, from Middle French oche
Pronunciation : näch
Function : noun
Date : 1577
1. groove; V-shaped cut; level, degree (Informal); pass between two hills or mountains. groove; cut; make a notch in; score a point. notch\notch\ , n. [akin to nock; cf. od. nock, osw. nocka. cf. nick a notch.].
2. a hollow cut in anything; a nick; an indentation. and on the stick ten equal notches makes.
3. a narrow passage between two elevation; a deep, close pass; a defile; as, the notch of a mountain.notch \notch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. notched ; p. pr. & vb. n. notching.].
4. to cut or make notches in; to indent; also, to score by notches; as, to notch a stick.
5. to fit the notch of (an arrow) to the string. god is all sufferance; here he doth show no arrow notched, only a stringless bow.notch n.
6. a v-shaped indentation; "mandibular notch".
7. the location in a range of mountains of a geological formation that is lower than the surrounding peaks; "we got through the pass before it started to snow" [syn: pass, mountain pass].
8. a v-shaped or u-shaped indentation carved or scratched into a surface; "there were four notches in the handle of his revolver".
9. a small cut [syn: nick, snick] v 1: cut or make a notch into; "notch the rope" 2: notch a surface to record something.
10. A hollow cut in anything; a nick; an indentation.
11. A narrow passage between two elevation; a deep, close pass; a defile; as, the notch of a mountain.
12. To cut or make notches in ; to indent; also, to score by notches; as, to notch a stick.
13. To fit the notch of to the string. a small cut a V-shaped or U-shaped indentation carved or scratched into a surface; "there were four notches in the handle of his revolver" a V-shaped indentation; "mandibular notch" notch a surface to record something cut or make a notch into; "notch the rope".
14. 1. You can refer to a level on a scale of measurement or achievement as a notch. Average earnings in the economy moved up another notch in August In this country the good players are pulled down a notch or two.
15. If you notch a success, especially in a sporting contest, you achieve it. The President is keen to notch a political triumph that would foster freer world trade and faster economic growth.
16. A notch is a small V-shaped or circular cut in the surface or edge of something. They cut notches in the handle of their pistol for each man they shot. = nick see also:
top-notch.