notch

Meanings

Noun

• A V-shaped cut.
• An indentation.
• A mountain pass; a defile.
• A discontinuous change in a taxation schedule.
• A level or degree.
• A portion of a mobile phone that overlaps the edge of the screen, used to house camera, sensors etc. while maximizing screen space.

Verb

• To cut a notch in (something).
• To record (a score or similar) by making notches on something.
• To join by means of notches.
• To achieve (something); to add to one's score or record of successes.
• To fit (an arrow) to a bow by means of the notch cut at the end of the arrow; to nock.

Origin

• Recorded since 1577, probably a rebracketing of an + otch, which noun stems from Middle French oche ("notch"), itself from the Old French verb ochier, of uncertain origin, but possibly related to French hocher and English nick ("small cut, notch").