I. ˈej noun
Etymology: Middle English egge, from Old English ecg; akin to Latin acer sharp, Greek akmē point
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : the cutting side of a blade
a razor's edge
b. : the sharpness of a blade
a knife with no edge
c.
(1) : force , effectiveness
blunted the edge of the legislation
(2) : vigor or energy especially of body
maintains his hard edge
d.
(1) : incisive or penetrating quality
writing with a satirical edge
(2) : a noticeably harsh or sharp quality
her voice had an edge to it
(3) : a secondary but distinct quality
rock music with a bluesy edge
e. : keenness or intensity of desire or enjoyment
lost my competitive edge
took the edge off our appetites
2.
a. : the line where an object or area begins or ends : border
on the edge of a plain
b. : the narrow part adjacent to a border
the edge of the deck
c.
(1) : a point near the beginning or the end ; especially : brink , verge
on the edge of disaster
(2) : the threshold of danger or ruin
living on the edge
d. : a favorable margin : advantage
has an edge 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 adjective
•
- on edge
II. verb
( edged ; edg·ing )
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
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
intransitive verb
: to advance by short moves