notched
notched — verb
- notchedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- notcheds3rd person singular
- notcheding-ing form
- notchededpast simple
1. To cut a V-shaped mark into the edge of a hard surface or object, usually so tha
To cut a V-shaped mark into the edge of a hard surface or object, usually so that it fits into or holds something else.
Sivan notched the wooden spoon handle to remind herself which jar held the sugar.
notch + surface for identification
The carpenter notched the plank so it would fit snugly against the roof beam.
notch + object for fitting
Arjun notched the bamboo pole at each end before tying the rope around it.
Eshe notched the edge of the leather strap to create a groove for the buckle.
文法句型
notch + noun phrase (surface or object)
用法筆記
Object is always the surface being cut, not the cutting tool. For example, you notch a stick, not a knife.
常見錯誤
notched — noun
1. A V-shaped mark that has been cut into the edge of a hard material such as wood,
A V-shaped mark that has been cut into the edge of a hard material such as wood, metal, or bone.
Mira noticed a deep notch in the kitchen counter where someone had dropped a heavy knife.
a notch in [surface] for accidental cuts
Each arrow has a small notch at the back where the bowstring fits.
The old fence post had a notch cut into it to hold the wire in place.
Renata ran her finger over the notch in the window frame, left by a loose latch.
- groove
a longer, channel-like cut rather than a single V
- indentation
broader term for any inward dent or hollow
- nick
smaller and often accidental; less precise than a notch
文法句型
a notch in [surface]
用法筆記
This is the most literal noun sense. For accidental marks, 'nick' or 'scratch' are more common in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
2. A narrow cut made into a surface to keep count of something or to record an even
A narrow cut made into a surface to keep count of something or to record an event, especially in traditional tally systems.
The guard carved a notch into the wall of his cell each morning to mark another day.
carve a notch to mark each [unit]
Hiro used a notch on a stick to record how many bags of rice he had sold at the market.
Archaeologists found a wooden tally stick with a notch for each cow traded that season.
Nkechi showed the children how their great-grandfather used a notch on the barn beam to track the rains each year.
- tally mark
a drawn line on paper rather than a physical cut
- slash
less precise; can be any scratch, not necessarily counting
文法句型
a notch for [purpose]
用法筆記
Historically used with tally sticks as a simple counting method. In modern English, this sense is mostly found in historical or archaeological writing.
3. A small rounded cut in a book's stacked page edges that tells the reader where a
A small rounded cut in a book's stacked page edges that tells the reader where a new section starts, such as a chapter or letter group.
The old encyclopedia had a notch cut into its pages to show where the letter N began.
a notch in the pages marking a section
Iris opened the thick novel and found the notch that marked the start of chapter twelve.
Darius used the notch in the dictionary pages to quickly find words starting with the letter T.
Bookbinders sometimes add a notch to each volume in a set so readers can tell which book is which.
- thumb index
a set of cut-out steps on the page edges rather than a single rounded notch
文法句型
a notch in the pages
用法筆記
This sense is found in older or specialty reference books. Most modern books use thumb indexes instead of a single notch.
4. A narrow, deep opening or passage between two mountains or hills that people can
A narrow, deep opening or passage between two mountains or hills that people can walk or travel through.
The hikers crossed the narrow notch between the two peaks before the snow began to fall.
notch between [landforms] as a pass
A cold wind blew through the notch in the ridge, making the campers shiver in their tents.
The ancient road followed a notch through the mountain range, connecting the two valleys below.
The trail through the notch was so narrow that the horses had to go one at a time.
文法句型
a notch between [peaks]
用法筆記
This geographical sense is mostly found in place names and hiking descriptions. 'Pass' or 'gap' are more commonly used in everyday language.
5. A particular level or position on a scale used to compare how good, strong, or i
A particular level or position on a scale used to compare how good, strong, or important something is, especially when moving to a higher level.
After winning the championship, the team took their performance up a notch and trained even harder.
phrase: take it up a notch
Niran's cooking skills moved up a notch after he took the professional baking course.
move up a notch for improvement
The manager decided to turn the customer service up a notch by hiring more staff.
Olivia felt the conversation shift up a notch when the CEO herself walked into the room.
Eshe always keeps her presentation one notch above everyone else's by adding short video clips.
- step down
going to a lower level or position
文法句型
a notch above/below [something]
take it up a notch
用法筆記
Almost always used with 'up' to show an increase. The phrase 'take it up a notch' is a fixed expression meaning to increase effort or intensity.
常見錯誤
6. A V-shaped dent or groove that forms naturally along the border of a bone or oth
A V-shaped dent or groove that forms naturally along the border of a bone or other body part, especially where it joins another structure.
The doctor pointed to a small notch on the patient's hip bone in the X-ray.
a notch on [bone] in medical context
Darius felt the natural notch behind his ear where the skin curved inward.
Anjali's anatomy textbook showed a clear diagram of the notch on the lower jaw bone.
The surgeon carefully cut around the bony notch to avoid damaging the nerve beneath it.
- indentation
a broader, less specific term for any inward curve
- groove
a longer, channel-like depression in a bone
文法句型
a notch on [body part]
用法筆記
Primarily used in medical and anatomical writing. Many bones have standard named notches, such as the 'sciatic notch' in the pelvis.