/ ˈmɑːdʒɪnl; NAmE ˈmɑːrdʒ-/ adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
small and not important
SYN slight :
a marginal improvement in weather conditions
The story will only be of marginal interest to our readers.
2.
not part of a main or important group or situation :
marginal groups in society
3.
( politics ) ( especially BrE ) won or lost by a very small number of votes and therefore very important or interesting as an indication of public opinion :
a marginal seat / constituency
4.
[ only before noun ] written in the margin of a page :
marginal notes / comments
5.
( of land ) that cannot produce enough good crops to make a profit
■ noun
( BrE ) a seat in a parliament, on a local council, etc. that was won by a very small number of votes :
a Labour marginal
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: from medieval Latin marginalis , from margo , margin- edge.