verge

verge

verge¹ [vʉrj]

n.

[ME < OFr, rod, wand, stick, yard, hoop < L virga, twig, rod, wand < IE * wizga- < base * wei-, to bend, twist > WIRE, WHISK]

1.

a) the edge, brink, or margin (of something): also used figuratively [the verge of the forest, on the verge of hysteria]

b) Brit. a grassy border, as along a road

2.

a) an enclosing line or border; boundary, esp. of something more or less circular

b) the area so enclosed

3. the edge of the tiling that projects over a gable

4. the spindle of a balance wheel in a clock with an old-style vertical escapement

5. a rod or staff symbolic of an office, as that carried before a church official in processions

6. Eng. Feudal Law a rod held in the hand by a feudal tenant as he swore fealty to his lord

vi.

verged, verging

to be on or as if on the verge, edge, brink, or border: usually with on or upon [streets verging on the slum area, talk that verges on the ridiculous]

verge² [vʉrj]

vi.

verged, verging [L vergere, to bend, turn < IE * werg- < base * wer-, to turn, bend > WARP, WORM]

1. to tend or incline (to or toward)

2. to be in the process of change or transition into something else; pass gradually (into) [dawn verging into daylight]