foot breadthn.
/ˈfʊt brɛdθ/, /ˈfʊt brɛtθ/, U.S. /ˈfʊt ˌbrɛdθ/, /ˈfʊt ˌbrɛtθ/ Now rare.
The breadth of a foot, used as a measurement, esp. of land. Also: a small distance or amount. Sc. National Dict. (at Fit) records the word as still in use in Caithness, Aberdeenshire, and Angus in 1945.
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the world > relative properties > measurement > measurement of length > [noun] > units of length or distance > breadth of foot
footbreed?a1425
foot breadth1535
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Deut. ii. 5 I wyl not geue you one fote bredth of their londe.
1592 tr. F. Du Jon Apocalypsis vii. 21 They depart not so much as a foot bredth from the path commanded them of God.
1670 J. Ogilby Africa 711 There is not a foot breadth of Land but belongs to some Lord or other.
a1767 T. Boston Select Disc. (1768) vii. 140 There shall be new heavens, and a new earth, of which the fretters and murmurers shall not enjoy one foot breadth.
1857 H. Miller Testimony of Rocks iii. 125 Luxuriant herbage cumbered every foot breadth of the dank..soil.
1882 Fraser's Mag. July 103 But a foot breadth of land is required to walk to the church.
1932 John o' Groat Jrnl. 28 Oct. They wirna a feet-breedth o' road ower 'e Hill o' Wester.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1535