hairbreadth

[ hair-bredth, -bretth ]

/ ˈhɛərˌbrɛdθ, -ˌbrɛtθ /

Origin of hairbreadth

1400–50; late Middle English heere brede; see hair, breadth

hairsbreadth

[ hairz-bredth, -bretth, -breth ]

/ ˈhɛərzˌbrɛdθ, -ˌbrɛtθ, -ˌbrɛθ /

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

extremely narrow or close.

Also hair's-breadth, hairbreadth.

First recorded in 1575–85

On the other hand, the neck as a region offered some of the most striking examples of hairbreadth escape of important structures.

Surgical Experiences in South Africa, 1899-1900 |George Henry Makins
There would be plenty of excitement, plenty of hairbreadth escapes.

Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 147, July 15, 1914 |Various
They prefer cutting a tunnel through granite to deviating a hairbreadth from the line they have marked out for themselves.

Mirk Abbey, Volume 3(of 3) |James Payn
Tough are the yarns of wondrous hunts and Indian perils, of hairbreadth'scapes and curious "fixes."

In the Old West |George Frederick Ruxton

The accounts that come tell of hairbreadth escapes, heartrending tragedies and deeds of heroism almost without number.

The Johnstown Horror |James Herbert Walker