■ noun
1》 the outside limit of an object, area, or surface.
↘an area next to a steep drop.
2》 the sharpened side of a blade.
3》 an intense or striking quality.
↘a quality or factor which gives superiority over close rivals: his cars have the ~ over his rivals'.
4》 the line along which two surfaces of a solid meet.
■ verb
1》 provide with a border or ~.
2》 move carefully or furtively.
3》 (usu. ~ out ) informal defeat by a small margin.
4》 give an intense or sharp quality to.
5》 Cricket strike (the ball) with the ~ of the bat.
Phrases
on ~ tense, nervous, or irritable.
set someone's teeth on ~ (of a sound or taste) cause intense discomfort or irritation to someone.
Derivatives
-~d adjective
~less adjective
~r noun
Origin
OE ecg 'sharpened side of a blade', of Gmc origin.