a level on a scale, often marking quality or achievement 等级；档次；位阶 The quality of the food here has dropped a notch recently. 这里的饭菜质量最近下降了一级。 My spirits lifted a few notches when I heard the news. 当我听到这个消息时，我的精神振奋了几分。 They've dropped their prices a notch or two. 他们已经把价格降了一两级。
a V-shape or a circle cut in an edge or a surface, sometimes used to keep a record of something （表面或边缘的）V 形刻痕，圆形切口 Extra ExamplesIt's too low—move it up another notch. 太低了——再往上移一级。 The handle fits into a notch on the side of the box. 把手放在盒子侧面的凹槽里。
each of a series of holes, for example in a belt 缺口： 一系列孔中的每一个，例如在皮带上
Word Originmid 16th cent.: probably from Anglo-Norman French noche, variant of Old French osche, of unknown origin.