hand's-breadth

Hand's-breadth by hand's-breadth he climbed the wall, never looking down.

Spirit Gate 2006

Iron spikes, spaced about a hand's-breadth apart along the top, ruled out that idea.

Dragons Of Summer Flame Weis, Margaret 1995

After all, there is a beak fully capable of biting through his spine less than a hand's-breadth from his nose.

The Eagle And The Nightingale Lackey, Mercedes 1995

Everywhere but here the buildings stood so close together that there wasn't a hand's-breadth of space between them.

Prison Of Souls Lackey, Mercedes 1993

The long knife quivered in its neck, point and a foot of blade showing on one side, and the hilt and a hand's-breadth of steel on the other, but it only seemed to madden the giant reptile.

The Conan Chronicles Howard, Robert E. 1989

She was tall, a hand's-breadth taller than he, and erect as one of the lilies she clasped.

A Rare Benedictine Peters, Ellis, 1913- 1988

If he could have stood erect he would have been a hand's-breadth taller than his sister, but thus hunched he looked even shorter.

The Pilgrim of Hate Peters, Ellis, 1913-1995 1984

The long knife quivered in its neck, point and a foot of blade showing on one side, and the hilt and a hand's-breadth of steel on the other, but it only seemed to madden the giant reptile.

Conan the Adventurer Howard, Robert E. 1966

On this wreath rested a crown of about a hand's-breadth, decorated with jewels and surmounted by three bands of metal crowned by a knob.

The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1774-1824 1954

The lilies wavered what seemed but a hand's-breadth from him.

The Coast of Chance Esther Chamberlain