edʒ n. & v. --n. 1 a
boundary line or
margin of an
area or
surface. 2 a
narrow surface of a
thin object. 3
the meeting-line of
two surfaces of a
solid. 4 a the sharpened
side of the
blade of a
cutting instrument or
weapon. b the sharpness of
this (the
knife has lost its edge). 5 the area close to a steep
drop (along the edge of the cliff). 6
anything compared to an edge,
esp. the
crest of a
ridge. 7 a (as a
personal attribute) incisiveness, excitement. b keenness, excitement (esp. as an
element in an
otherwise routine situation). --v. 1 tr. & intr. (often foll. by
in,
into,
out, etc.)
move gradually or furtively
towards an
objective (edged it into the
corner;
they all edged towards the door). 2 tr. a
provide with an edge or
border. b
form a border
to. c
trim the edge
of. 3 tr.
sharpen (a knife,
tool, etc.). 4 tr. Cricket
strike (the ball) with the edge of the bat. øhave the edge on (or over)
have a
slight advantage over. on edge 1 tense
and restless or
irritable. 2
eager, excited. on the edge of
almost involved in or
affected by. set a person's
teeth on edge (of a
taste or sound)
cause an
unpleasant nervous sensation.
take the edge
off dull,
weaken;
make less effective or
intense. øøedgeless adj. edger n. [OE
ecg f. Gmc]