hairsbreadth

[ hairz-bredth, -bretth, -breth ]
/ ˈhɛərzˌbrɛdθ, -ˌbrɛtθ, -ˌbrɛθ /

noun

a very small space or distance: We escaped an accident by a hairsbreadth.

adjective

extremely narrow or close.
Also hair's-breadth, hairbreadth.

Origin of hairsbreadth

First recorded in 1575–85

British Dictionary definitions for hair's-breadth

hair's-breadth

noun

  1. a very short or imperceptible margin or distance
  2. (as modifier)a hair's-breadth escape