notch

n. [ Akin to nock; cf. OD. nock, OSw. nocka. Cf. Nick a notch. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A hollow cut in anything; a nick; an indentation. [ 1913 Webster ]

And on the stick ten equal notches makes. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A narrow passage between two elevations; a deep, close pass; a defile; as, the notch of a mountain. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Notched p. pr. & vb. n. Notching. ] 1. To cut or make notches in; to indent; also, to score by notches; as, to notch a stick. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To fit the notch of (an arrow) to the string. [ 1913 Webster ]

God is all sufferance; here he doth show
No arrow notched, only a stringless bow. Herrick. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Carp.) The board which receives the ends of the steps in a staircase. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of making notches; the act of cutting into small hollows. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The small hollow, or hollows, cut; a notch or notches. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Carp.) A method of joining timbers, scantling, etc., by notching them, as at the ends, and overlapping or interlocking the notched portions. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Engin.) A method of excavating, as in a bank, by a series of cuttings side by side. See also Gulleting. [ 1913 Webster ]