SELVAGE


Meaning of SELVAGE in English

I. noun

or sel·vedge ˈselvij, -vēj

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English selvage, probably from MFlemish selvage, selvegge, from selv- self- + egge edge; akin to Old English self- and to Old High German ecka edge — more at self- , edge

1.

a.

(1) : the edge on either side of a woven or flat-knitted fabric so finished as to prevent raveling ; specifically : a narrow border often woven of different or heavier threads than the fabric and sometimes in a different weave — see split 2e

(2) : the margin of a sheet or booklet pane of stamps having an outside straight edge as contrasted with the perforated edge of the margin of a single stamp

b. : an edge (as of fabric or paper) meant to be cut off and discarded : a waste cutting

begging people to use the selvages and scraps of their time — Sinclair Lewis

2. : border , edge

actually believes it up to the selvage of his consciousness — Rex Stout

his nondescript, worsted, uncreased trousers, mud-spattered at the selvage — A.J.Cronin

3. : a rope or wire selvagee

4. : gouge 4

5. : the edge plate of a lock through which the bolt is projected

II. transitive verb

or selvedge “

( -ed/-ing/-s )

: to form a border to

all the tiny settlements selvaging the desert — All-Story Weekly

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.