edged

edge  (j)

n.

1.

a. A thin, sharpened side, as of the blade of a cutting instrument.

b. The degree of sharpness of a cutting blade.

c. A penetrating, incisive quality: "His simplicity sets off the satire, and gives it a finer edge" (William Hazlitt).

d. A slight but noticeable sharpness or harshness: His voice had an edge to it.

2. Keenness, as of desire or enjoyment; zest: The brisk walk gave an edge to my appetite.

3.

a. The line of intersection of two surfaces: the edge of a brick; the table's rounded edges.

b. A rim or brink: the edge of a cliff.

c. The point at which something is likely to begin: on the edge of war.

4.

a. The area or part away from the middle; an extremity: lifted the carpet's edge.

b. A dividing line; a border: a house on the edge of town. See Synonyms at border.

5. A margin of superiority; an advantage: a slight edge over the opposition.

6. A provocative or discomforting quality, as from audacity or innovativeness: "Over all, the show will have a grittier edge" (Constance C.R. White).

v. edged, edg·ing, edg·es

v.tr.

1.

a. To give an edge to (a blade); sharpen.

b. To tilt (a ski or both skis) in such a way that an edge or both edges bite into the snow.

2.

a. To put a border or edge on: edged the quilt with embroidery.

b. To act as or be an edge of: bushes that edged the garden path.

3. To advance or push slightly or gradually: The dog edged the ball with its nose.

4. To trim or shape the edge of: edge a lawn.

5. To surpass or beat by a small margin. Often used with out: The runner edged her opponent out at the last moment.

v.intr.

To move gradually or hesitantly: The child edged toward the door.

Idioms:

on edge

Highly tense or nervous; irritable.

on the edge

1. In a precarious position.

2. In a state of keen excitement, as from danger or risk: "the excitement of combat, of living on the edge" (Nelson DeMille).

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[Middle English egge, from Old English ecg; see ak- in Indo-European roots.]

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edgeless adj.

Thesaurus

Adj.	1.	edged - having a specified kind of border or edge; "a black-edged card"; "rough-edged leaves"; "dried sweat left salt-edged patches" bordered - having a border especially of a specified kind; sometimes used as a combining term; "black-bordered handkerchief"
	2.	edged - (of speech) harsh or hurtful in tone or character; "cutting remarks"; "edged satire"; "a stinging comment" cutting, stinging unkind - lacking kindness; "a thoughtless and unkind remark"; "the unkindest cut of all"
	3.	edged - having a cutting edge or especially an edge or edges as specified; often used in combination; "an edged knife"; "a two-edged sword" sharp - having or made by a thin edge or sharp point; suitable for cutting or piercing; "a sharp knife"; "a pencil with a sharp point"