the width of a finger, used as an indication of length
fingerbreadth in American English
(ˈfɪŋgərˌbrɛdθ)
noun
the breadth of a finger, roughly 3⁄4 inch to 1 inch in measure
fingerbreadth in American English
(ˈfɪŋɡərˌbredθ, -ˌbretθ)
noun
the breadth of a finger: approximately ¾ in. (2 cm)
Word origin
[1585–95; finger + breadth]This word is first recorded in the period 1585–95. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: aberration, develop, filament, keyhole, scuff