[edge] n [ME egge, fr. OE ecg; akin to L acer sharp, Gk akme point] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the cutting side of a blade b: the sharpness of a blade c (1): force, effectiveness "blunted the ~ of the legislation" (2): vigor or energy esp. of body "maintains his hard ~" d (1): incisive or penetrating quality "writing with a satirical ~" (2): a noticeably harsh or sharp quality "her voice had an ~ to it" e: keenness of desire or enjoyment "lost my competitive ~" "took the ~ off our appetites"
2. a: the line where an object or area begins or ends: border "on the ~ of a plain" b: the narrow part adjacent to a border "the ~ of the deck" c: a point near the beginning or the end; esp: brink, verge "on the ~ of disaster" d: a favorable margin: advantage "has an ~ on the competition"
3: a line or line segment that is the intersection of two plane faces (as of a pyramid) or of two planes -- edge.less adj -- on edge : anxious, nervous
[2]edge vb edged ; edg.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to give an edge to b: to be on an edge of "trees edging the lake"
2: to move or force gradually "edged him off the road"
3: to incline (a ski) sideways so that one edge cuts into the snow
4: to defeat by a small margin--often used with out "edged out her opponent" ~ vi: to advance by short moves