edge

edge [ej]

n.

[ME egge < OE ecg, akin to ON egg, Ger ecke, corner < IE base * ak-, sharp: see ACID]

1. the thin, sharp, cutting part of a blade

2. the quality of being sharp or keen

3. the projecting ledge or brink, as of a cliff

4. the part farthest from the middle; line where something begins or ends; border, or part nearest the border; margin

5. the verge or brink, as of a condition

6. an intense, harsh, or irritable quality [his voice had a distinct edge]

7. Geom. a line or line segment at which two plane surfaces meet

☆ 8. Informal advantage [you have an edge on me]

9. Informal the quality of being EDGY (sense 4)

vt.

edged, edging

1.

a) to form or put an edge on; provide an edge for

b) to trim the edge of

2. to make (one's way) sideways, as through a crowd

3. to move gradually or cautiously

4. Informal to defeat in a contest by a narrow margin: often with out

☆ 5. Skiing to tilt (a ski) so that one edge bites into the snow, as in traversing a slope

vi.

1. to move sideways

2. to move gradually or cautiously [to edge away from danger]

SYN.- BORDER

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on edge

1. so tense or nervous as to be easily upset; irritable

2. eager; impatient

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set someone's teeth on edge

1. to give a sensation of tingling discomfort, as the sound of a fingernail scraped on a slate does

2. to irritate; provoke

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take the edge off

to dull the intensity, force, or pleasure of

edger

n.