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.
Phrases and idioms:
have 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.
Derivatives:
edgeless adj. edger n.
Etymology: OE ecg f. Gmc