notch
UK[nɒtʃ]US[nɑːtʃ]
n
A V-shaped cut or indentation in a surface or edge.
n
A point or level on a scale, often representing an achievement or a degree of quality.
v
To make a V-shaped cut in something.
v
To achieve or score something.
Etymology
The word 'notch' first appeared in English in the mid-16th century. Its origin is obscure but it is likely from a variant of the Anglo-Norman and Old French word 'oche', meaning 'a nick, an incision'. This French term may itself be derived from a Vulgar Latin form related to the verb 'notare', meaning 'to mark'. The core logic of the word has remained remarkably stable: from its literal beginnings as a physical cut or indentation used for keeping count or marking a position, it evolved metaphorically to signify a point or degree on any scale of measurement or achievement. This semantic shift from a concrete mark to an abstract unit of measure illustrates a common pattern in language development.
Analysis
The word 'notch' is a simplex word of uncertain, likely Anglo-Norman or Old French, origin. It does not contain separable, meaningful morphemes within its modern English spelling.
Examples
He cut a small notch in the stick to mark the days.
Her performance raised the team's morale up a notch.
The company managed to notch another record profit this quarter.