I. ˈwej noun
Etymology: Middle English wegge, from Old English wecg; akin to Old High German wecki wedge, Lithuanian vagis
Date: before 12th century
1. : a piece of a substance (as wood or iron) that tapers to a thin edge and is used for splitting wood and rocks, raising heavy bodies, or for tightening by being driven into something
2.
a. : something (as a policy) causing a breach or separation
b. : something used to initiate an action or development
3. : something wedge-shaped: as
a. : an array of troops or tanks in the form of a wedge
b. : the wedge-shaped stroke in cuneiform characters
c. : a shoe having a heel extending from the back of the shoe to the front of the shank and a tread formed by an extension of the sole
d. : an iron golf club with a broad low-angled face for maximum loft
4. : a golf shot made with a wedge — called also wedge shot
[
W wedge 1
]
II. verb
( wedged ; wedg·ing )
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. : to fasten or tighten by driving in a wedge
2.
a. : to force or press (something) into a narrow space : cram
b. : to force (one's way) into or through
wedged his way into the crowd
3. : to separate or force apart with or as if with a wedge
intransitive verb
: to become wedged