English

Alternative forms

• hairsbreadth
• hair's breadth

Noun

hairbreadth ‎(plural hairbreadths)

1. the width of a hair, a very short distance or a very small amount
   • 1749: Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

     In short, these kind of hairbreadth missings of happiness look like the insults of Fortune, who may be considered as thus playing tricks with us, and wantonly diverting herself at our expense.

   • 1799: Charles Brockden Brown, Edgar Huntly

     This surely was a day destined to be signalized by hairbreadth escapes.

   • 1856: Wilkie Collins, After Dark

     Measure Maddalena, and measure Minerva, and from forehead to chin, you won't find a hairbreadth of difference between them.