I. -ˌlīn adjective
Date: 1907
1.
a. : being in an intermediate position or state : not fully classifiable as one thing or its opposite
a borderline state between waking and sleeping
b. : not quite up to, typical of, or as severe as what is usual, standard, or expected
borderline intelligence
borderline hypertension
c. : characterized by psychological instability in several areas (as interpersonal relations, behavior, and identity) but only with brief or no psychotic episodes
a borderline personality disorder
2. : situated at or near a border
a borderline town
• borderline noun
II. adverb
Date: 1925
: almost , nearly
borderline tacky
borderline suicidal