hairbreadth

[hair-bredth, -bretth] /ˈhɛərˌbrɛdθ, -ˌbrɛtθ/
noun, adjective
1.
hairsbreadth.
Origin
1400-50; late Middle English heere brede; see hair, breadth
Examples from the web for hairbreadth
  • The trip was continued but the nerves of tho travelers were not helped by their hairbreadth escape.
  • Including a few- hairbreadth escapes while proselyting.
  • But few casualties occurred, although some narrow and hairbreadth escapes happened.
  • Thus begins a roller coaster ride of comic mishaps, unexpected perils and hairbreadth escapes.
Word Origin and History for hairbreadth
n.

also hairsbreadth, hairs-breadth, hair's breadth, mid-15c., said to have been formerly a formal unit of measure equal to one-forty-eighth of an inch. From hair + breadth.