How Do You Spell HAIR'SBREATHS?

Pronunciation: [hˈe͡əsbɹɛθs] (IPA)

The correct spelling of the word "hair'sbreadths" can be confusing due to its unusual pronunciation. The word refers to a very small unit of measurement, commonly used in engineering or precision instruments. Its IPA phonetic transcription is /hɛrzbrɛdθs/, consisting of the consonant cluster /zbr/ which can be challenging to pronounce correctly. This word's origins can be traced back to the Middle English word "hersbrede," meaning a hair's breadth, which gradually evolved into its current spelling. Nowadays, spell-checking software can help avoid misspellings of this and other difficult words.

HAIR'SBREATHS Meaning and Definition

  1. "Hair'sbreadths" refers to a small unit of measurement commonly used to indicate an extremely short distance or gap. It is derived from the term "hair's breadth," which refers to the thickness of a single strand of hair. The word "hair'sbreadths" is a plural form of "hair's breadth," emphasizing the proliferation of these minute measurements.

    In a physical sense, a hair's breadth is used to describe a space or distance that is so narrow that it can only be measured using the width of a single strand of hair. This term is often employed to illustrate precision or accuracy, emphasizing the importance of minimal deviation. For example, in mechanical or engineering conditions, moving parts might require maintenance in order to remain within a hair's breadth of one another.

    Figuratively, the term can also be applied to describe a near-miss or a very close call. It suggests a level of narrowness or precariousness in a situation, implying that only a tiny margin prevented a more serious outcome. For instance, someone might say they narrowly avoided a collision by a hair's breadth, highlighting the fact that this minute distance prevented a potentially disastrous event from occurring.

    Overall, "hair'sbreadths" denotes a tiny measure or distance, whether it pertains to physical dimensions or metaphorical near-misses, emphasizing extreme precision or narrowly avoiding a critical outcome.

Common Misspellings for HAIR'SBREATHS

  • hair'sbreath3
  • hair'sbreathc
  • hair'sbreathq
  • hair'sbreathr
  • hheir'sbreaths
  • herr'sbreaths
  • hare'sbreaths
  • h air'sbreaths
  • ha ir'sbreaths
  • hai r'sbreaths
  • hair 'sbreaths
  • hair'sbr eaths
  • hair'sbre aths
  • hair'sbrea ths
  • hair'sbreat hs
  • hair'sbreath s

Etymology of HAIR'SBREATHS

The word "hair'sbreadths" has a compound structure consisting of two elements: "hair's" and "breadths".

"Hair's" comes from the noun "hair", which refers to the thin, thread-like strand that grows on the human body, mainly on the scalp. The word "hair" dates back to Old English, derived from the Proto-Germanic word "haira".

"Breadths", on the other hand, is the plural form of "breadth". The term "breadth" originates from the Middle English word "breadth(e)", which is derived from the Old English "brǣdu" meaning "breadth, width, extent, spaciousness".

Therefore, when combined, "hair'sbreadths" refers to very small or narrow measurements or amounts. It may be used metaphorically to indicate a tiny difference or distance, as if to say the width of a single hair.