I. R ˈkȯrnər sometimes ˈkȯnər; -R ˈkȯ(ə)nə(r noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French cornere, corniere, from corne corner, horn, from Latin cornu horn, end, point
1.
a. : the point or place where converging lines, edges, or sides meet : angle
the corner of a square
corner of a box
the corners of his eyes and mouth
b. : an angular part at the meeting point of two of the sides or edges of something
lift up the corners of the tablecloth
also : a small piece seperated (as by tearing off) or seperate from something but including such an angular part
c. : the place of intersection of two streets or roads
d. : a stake, tree, or other mark designating the point of intersection of two boundary lines of a piece of land
e. : a piece designed to form, occupy, mark, protect, or ornament a corner of something (as a leather or metal cap for the corner of a book) ; also : a design for a corner ornament or a device (as type or a stamp) for impressing it
f. : a corner kick in soccer or a free hit from an opponent's defensive corner in a field hockey
g. : the area or edge of home plate nearest or farthest from the batter
the inside corner is that closest to the batter, the outside corner is that farthest from him
h. : one of the two pairs of opponents in a 4-hand card game
play for 10 cents a corner
— distinguished from side
2.
a. : the space between meeting lines, walls, or borders close to the vertex of the angle
the southwest corner of the state is hilly
b.
(1) : a secret place or place of secrecy
dark deeds done in corners
: an out-of-the-way place remote from ordinary life or affairs
a quiet corner of a small New England town
: a small part or area (as of one's mind); especially : one that is secret, private, or little known
kept a corner of their minds free from the strict rule of logic — G.G.Coulton
every corner of his inoffensive life was open to the day — Dorothy Sayers
he had a soft corner in his heart for Valentine — F.M.Ford
(2) : any place or part (as of the world) whether far or near
starlings are found in every corner of England
: the remotest extremity (as of the earth) : a far place
the power of England extended to all corners of the world
: a part or area especially of a field of activity
establishing frequency modulation in every corner of the … electronics industry — C.B.Fisher
(3) : a point of view : an observer or critic of the scene
this corner believes that the music should be of prime interest to the collector — Howard Taubman
: a place of observation; specifically : a regular column in a periodical devoted to a particular interest or activity
verses from his pen had appeared in the poet's corner of the … Journal — W.B.Parker
c. : a position from which escape or retreat is difficult or impossible : a position of danger, difficulty, or embarrassment
he was daring but not imprudent and never got himself into such a tight corner that he could not escape
d.
(1) : the angle of the ring in which a boxer rests and is worked on by his seconds during the periods between rounds
(2) : the party of supporters, well-wishers, or adherents associated with a contestant or with one engaged in some effort, struggle, or controversy
he will have most of the businessmen in his corner in his fight for the nomination
3. obsolete : a direction from which the wind blows
sits the wind in that corner — Shakespeare
4. corners plural : characteristics, traits, manners ; especially : rough, rude, or uncultivated manners or ways
a year or two at a good school will round off some of his rough corners
5.
a. : the critical moment in any series of events ; especially : the moment marking a turning point from failure to success — used especially in the phrase turn the corner
the business has turned the corner after three years of losses
b. : the halfway point toward game on a cribbage board
6.
a. : control or ownership by an individual or group of enough of the available supply of a commodity or a security to permit manipulation of the selling price
made a fortune from a corner in cotton
— compare trust
b. : possession of the whole amount or supply of something
a corner on vigor and virtue — H.J.Muller
: the unique possession of a privilege or ability
a corner on sales of out-of-town papers — H.H.Martin
7. : the adjacent dancer standing at a right angle in a square dance
the man's corner is the woman to his left; his partner is on his right
8. : corner tooth
•
- around the corner
II. verb
( cornered ; cornered ; cornering -n(ə)riŋ ; corners )
Etymology: Middle English corneren, from corner, n.
transitive verb
1.
a. : to drive into a corner or into a position where escape is difficult or impossible : bring to bay
largest known eel … not usually aggressive, but dangerous when cornered — J.L.B.Smith
b. : to force into a position of difficulty or embarrassment
the prosecutor cornered the witness and forced out the truth
: catch and hold the attention of (a person) especially so as to force an interview
he corners the secretary on his way to lunch … and says what he has to say right in his ear — Clarence Woodbury
2. : to get command of a large part of the supply of (as a stock or a commodity) so as to be able to dictate one's own price
corner the common stock of a railroad
corner the rye market
: get a corner on
you have not cornered all the good ideas — Beatrice S. Rossell
— compare engross
3. : to cut with an ax a wide chip from each half or each corner of (a box) in turpentine orcharding
intransitive verb
1. : to meet or converge at a corner or angle
the spot where three states corner
2. of an automobile : to turn to one side or the other
a car that corners at high speed without skidding, swerving, or excessive leaning
III. adjective
Etymology: corner (I)
1. : situated at a corner ; specifically : situated at a street corner or an intersection
the corner grocer, druggist, or other small merchant — Time
2. : used or fitted by shape or design for use in or on a corner
a corner brace
a triangular corner table
IV. adjective
: of, relating to, or being a defensive football player who covers one of the flanks
corner linebacker
corner positions