How Do You Spell HAIRSBREADTHS?

1. Hairsbreadths, also spelled as "hair's breadths," is a noun that refers to an extremely tiny or narrow distance or amount. It is often used to describe the measurement of an exceedingly small space or gap.

   In this context, "hairsbreadths" originates from the combination of two words. The first word, "hairs," refers to the very thin strands that grow from the skin of mammals, including humans. The second word, "breadths," denotes the measurement of width or distance.

   The term "hairsbreadths" can be used metaphorically to describe a very close or narrow escape from a dangerous or unfortunate situation, emphasizing the narrowness or closeness of the margin. Additionally, it is frequently used to indicate the smallest degree or amount of difference between two things, conveying the idea of minimal separation or distinction.

   For instance, one might say, "He squeezed through the closing doors of the train by mere hairsbreadths." This indicates that the person narrowly succeeded in boarding the train without being trapped by the doors.

   Furthermore, the term can be seen in idiomatic expressions such as "to be separated by a hairsbreadth," which means to be only a very small distance apart or to differ by an incredibly slight amount.

   Overall, the term "hairsbreadths" is employed to emphasize extreme thinness, narrowness, or minimal separation, both literally and figuratively.

Common Misspellings for HAIRSBREADTHS

The word "hairsbreadths" is derived from the combination of two words: "hairs" and "breadths".

"Hairs" refers to the plural form of "hair", which comes from the Old English word "hǣr". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*hairō" and is related to the Old Norse word "hár" and the Gothic word "haiþi".

On the other hand, "breadths" is the plural form of "breadth", which comes from the Middle English word "brede" and is ultimately derived from the Old Norse word "breiððr" and the Proto-Germanic word "*braudīną".