Edge - English meaning

noun

A condition or circumstance that puts one in a favourable or superior position.

Usage examples:

Companies with a computerized database are at an advantage

verb

Put in a favourable or superior position.

Usage examples:

Are we simply caught in a spiral here that will be destructive of our interests while, obviously, s…

noun

A condition that helps you or gives you a greater chance of success

Usage examples:

[ c ] his long arms give him a big advantage over other boxers., [ u ] test scores show no advantag…

noun

Occupation of a position of dominant power or influence.

Usage examples:

The ascendancy of good over evil

noun

A position of power, strength, or success

Usage examples:

They are in danger of losing their political ascendancy (= controlling power)., supporters of the p…

noun

The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.

Usage examples:

He had absolute authority over his subordinates

noun

The power to control or demand obedience from others

Usage examples:

[ u ] the police have no legal authority in these disputes., [ u ] we have to find someone in autho…

noun

The official power to make decisions for other people or to tell them what they must do

Usage examples:

The executive committee can delegate authority to the chairperson., he did not have enough authorit…

noun

A flat, thin strip or loop of material, used as a fastener, for reinforcement, or as decoration.

Usage examples:

Wads of banknotes fastened with gummed paper bands

verb

Provide or fit (an object) with something in the form of a strip or ring, for reinforcement or decoration.

Usage examples:

Doors are banded with iron to make them stronger

verb

(of people or organizations) form a group to achieve a mutual objective.

Usage examples:

Local people banded together to fight the company

verb

Tie or fasten (something) tightly together.

Usage examples:

They bound her hands and feet

noun

A problematical situation.

Usage examples:

He is in a bind that gets worse with every passing minute

verb

To tie someone or something tightly, or to fasten things together

Usage examples:

The room was full of wooden boxes bound with twisted wire., fig. the club is home to a mix of peopl…

noun

A line separating two countries, administrative divisions, or other areas.

Usage examples:

Panama's western border with costa rica

verb

Form an edge along or beside (something).

Usage examples:

A pool bordered by palm trees

noun

The line that divides one country or place from another

Usage examples:

The rio grande forms part of the us border., the card has a pretty design around the border., [ t ]…

verb

Walk or run with leaping strides.

Usage examples:

Louis came bounding down the stairs

noun

A leaping movement towards or over something.

Usage examples:

I went up the steps in two effortless bounds

verb

Form the boundary of; enclose.

Usage examples:

The ground was bounded by a main road on one side and a meadow on the other

noun

A line which marks the limits of an area; a dividing line.

Usage examples:

A county boundary

noun

An edge or limit of something

Usage examples:

You can camp anywhere inside the boundaries of the park., your work is limited only by the boundari…

noun

A real or imagined line that marks the edge or limit of something

Usage examples:

Boundary between the ural mountains mark the boundary between europe and asia., residents are oppos…

verb

Walk or run with leaping strides.

Usage examples:

Louis came bounding down the stairs

noun

A leaping movement towards or over something.

Usage examples:

I went up the steps in two effortless bounds

verb

Form the boundary of; enclose.

Usage examples:

The ground was bounded by a main road on one side and a meadow on the other

noun

A small stream, especially one that flows intermittently or seasonally.

Usage examples:

One of the many good touches in this book is its linguistic bent, as in the explanation of tilth an…

noun

A limit or boundary.

Usage examples:

In works such as these, the paint-splattered canvases, which suggest the wilder bourns of abstract …

noun

A limit or boundary (= edge)

Usage examples:

These matters are beyond the bourne of our understanding., she was about to depart for some unknown…

noun

The projecting edge at the bottom of a hat.

Usage examples:

A soft hat with a turned-up brim

verb

Be full to the point of overflowing.

Usage examples:

My eyes brimmed with tears

noun

The bottom part of a hat that sticks out all around the head

noun

The extreme edge of land before a steep slope or a body or water.

Usage examples:

The brink of the cliffs

noun

The edge of a cliff or other high area, or the point at which something good or bad will happen

Usage examples:

The company was on the brink of collapse.

noun

The point where a new, different, or dangerous situation is about to begin

Usage examples:

The brink of collapse/bankruptcy/disaster debt crisis led many companies to the brink of bankruptcy…

noun

A round plane figure whose boundary (the circumference) consists of points equidistant from a fixed point (the centre).

Usage examples:

Draw a circle with a compass

verb

Move all the way around (someone or something), especially more than once.

Usage examples:

They were circling athens airport

noun

A continuous curved line, the points of which are always the same distance away from a fixed central point, or the area inside such a line

Usage examples:

Coloured paper was cut into circles., we sat in a circle.

noun

The enclosing boundary of a curved geometric figure, especially a circle.

Usage examples:

His last work was on the cycloid, the curve traced by a point on the circumference of a rolling cir…

noun

The line surrounding a circular space, or the length of this line

Usage examples:

The circumference of a circle

noun

The outside edge of an area or object that is round or curved, or the length of this edge

Usage examples:

The circumference of an orange

noun

An outline representing or bounding the shape or form of something.

Usage examples:

She traced the contours of his face with her finger

verb

Mould into a specific shape, especially one designed to fit into something else.

Usage examples:

The compartment has been contoured with smooth rounded corners

noun

The shape of a mass of land or other object, esp. of its surface, or the shape formed by its outer edge

Usage examples:

The distinctive contour of florida’s coast

noun

The power to influence or direct people's behaviour or the course of events.

Usage examples:

The whole operation is under the control of a production manager

verb

Determine the behaviour or supervise the running of.

Usage examples:

He was appointed to control the company's marketing strategy

verb

Power to direct or determine

verb

Move slowly and carefully in order to avoid being heard or noticed.

Usage examples:

He crept downstairs, hardly making any noise

noun

A detestable person.

Usage examples:

I thought he was a nasty little creep

verb

Move slowly

verb

Make (something) look more attractive by adding extra items or images to it.

Usage examples:

The town was decorated with christmas lights

verb

To add something to an object or place, esp. to make it more attractive

Usage examples:

They decorated the table with flowers and candles., all four firefighters were decorated for bravery.

verb

To add something to an object or place, especially in order to make it more attractive

Usage examples:

Decorate something with something they decorated the wedding car with ribbons and flowers.

noun

Power and influence over others.

Usage examples:

The worldwide dominance of hollywood

noun

The quality of being more important, strong, or successful than anything else of the same type

Usage examples:

The party's dominance in scotland was being challenged for the first time., the dominance of the ca…

noun

The action of taking control of other people or animals in a forceful way, or the quality of liking to do this

Usage examples:

The new chairman appears to be trying to assert his dominance with a set of personnel changes., the…

verb

Form a circle around; surround.

Usage examples:

The town is encircled by fortified walls

verb

To surround or form a circle around something

Usage examples:

A parking lot encircles the mall.

verb

To surround something, forming a circle around it

Usage examples:

The house is encircled by a high fence., villaverde is one of the high-rise districts that encircle…

verb

Surround or close off on all sides.

Usage examples:

The entire estate was enclosed with walls

verb

To surround

Usage examples:

The garden is enclosed by four walls., please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

verb

To include something inside a letter or parcel

Usage examples:

Apply in writing, enclosing a current cv, to the address below., please find enclosed an applicatio…

verb

Surround and have or hold within.

Usage examples:

This area of london encompasses piccadilly to the north and st james's park to the south

verb

To include different types of things

Usage examples:

The festival is to encompass everything from music, theatre, and ballet to literature, cinema, and …

noun

The furthest point or limit of something.

Usage examples:

The peninsula's western extremity

noun

The furthest point, especially from the centre

Usage examples:

The wood lies on the southern extremity of the estate., in such a situation, your heart pumps faste…

noun

The parts of the human body furthest from the heart, for example, the fingers, toes, and nose

Usage examples:

In such a situation, your heart pumps faster to prevent your extremities from freezing.

verb

Bring (a task or activity) to an end; complete.

Usage examples:

They were straining to finish the job

noun

An end or final part or stage of something.

Usage examples:

A bowl of raspberries was the perfect finish to the meal

verb

To come to an end

Usage examples:

[ i ] the meeting should finish at four o’clock., [ t ] if you’ll let me finish my sentence, i’ll e…

noun

The side of a person's or animal's body between the ribs and the hip.

Usage examples:

Leaning against his horse's flanks

verb

Be on each or on one side of.

Usage examples:

The three defendants stood in the dock, flanked by police officers

noun

The area of the body between the ribs and the hips of an animal or a person

Usage examples:

He was experiencing a sharp pain in his flank., she dug her heels into the horse's flanks, urging i…

noun

The border or outer edges of an area or group.

Usage examples:

The southern fringes of the city

adjective

Not part of the mainstream; unconventional, peripheral, or extreme.

Usage examples:

Fringe theatre

verb

Short for fringe benefit.

Usage examples:

We offer the highest salary and fringes in the country

noun

The upper part of the human body, or the front or upper part of the body of an animal, typically separated from the rest of the body by a neck, and containing the brain, mouth, and sense organs.

Usage examples:

Whatever comes into my head

adjective

Chief; principal.

Usage examples:

The head waiter

verb

Be in the leading position on.

Usage examples:

The st george's day procession was headed by the mayor

noun

An instance of starting ahead of or before others, as in a race, chase, etc., sometimes by a specified amount; the fact of having such an advantage.

noun

In extended use: an early or initial advantage, especially over others having the same aim.

noun

Chiefly with capital initials. a federal educational and welfare programme in the united states, intended to help children in low-income households prepare for schooling.

noun

The edge of a piece of cloth or clothing which has been turned under and sewn.

Usage examples:

The hem of her dress

verb

Turn under and sew the edge of (a piece of cloth).

Usage examples:

She began to hem a border

exclamation

Used in writing to indicate a sound made when coughing or clearing the throat to attract attention or to express hesitation.

Usage examples:

In truth i had slept about 3 hours and breakfast had been a pint of stella — ah hem.

verb

Cause (a person or animal) to go with one by holding them by the hand, a halter, a rope, etc. while moving forward.

Usage examples:

She emerged leading a bay horse

noun

The initiative in an action; an example for others to follow.

Usage examples:

Britain is now taking the lead in environmental policies

noun

A soft, heavy, ductile bluish-grey metal, the chemical element of atomic number 82. it has been used in roofing, plumbing, ammunition, storage batteries, radiation shields, etc., and its compounds have been used in crystal glass, as an anti-knock agent in petrol, and (formerly) in paints.

Usage examples:

There's evidence that heavy metals such as lead and cadmium can make osteoporosis worse.

noun

A point or level beyond which something does not or may not extend or pass.

Usage examples:

The failure showed the limits of british power

verb

Set or serve as a limit to.

Usage examples:

Try to limit the amount you drink

noun

The greatest amount, number, or level allowed or possible

Usage examples:

There’s a limit to her patience., two cups of coffee are my limit., spending limits were imposed by…

noun

A point or level beyond which something does not or may not extend or pass.

Usage examples:

The failure showed the limits of british power

verb

Set or serve as a limit to.

Usage examples:

Try to limit the amount you drink

phrase

Limit

Usage examples:

I'd like to play squash, but i'm 60 and i know my limits., his genius knows no limits., the pay ris…

noun

A long, narrow mark or band.

Usage examples:

A row of closely spaced dots will look like a continuous line

verb

Stand or be positioned at intervals along.

Usage examples:

A processional route lined by people waving flags

verb

Cover the inside surface of (a container or garment) with a layer of different material.

Usage examples:

A basket lined with polythene

noun

Either of the two fleshy parts which form the upper and lower edges of the opening of the mouth.

Usage examples:

He kissed her on the lips

verb

(of water) lap against.

Usage examples:

Beaches lipped by the surf rimming the pacific

noun

Either of the two edges of flesh around the opening of the mouth

Usage examples:

She licked/pursed/puckered her lips., don’t give me any more of your lip.

noun

Margarine.

Usage examples:

On the tables were fluffy white caraway seed bread and marge.

noun

A margin or edge.

noun

The edge or border of something.

Usage examples:

The eastern margin of the indian ocean

verb

Provide with an edge or border.

Usage examples:

The plant's leaves are margined with yellow

noun

The border of empty space around the written or printed text on a page

Usage examples:

She was in the habit of making notes in the margins of her textbooks., he was reelected by a wide m…

noun

Comprehensive knowledge or skill in a particular subject or activity.

Usage examples:

She played with some mastery

noun

Great skill in a particular job or activity

Usage examples:

Louis armstrong’s mastery of the trumpet is legendary., only a singer of fitzgerald's mastery could…

noun

Complete control of something

Usage examples:

Her mastery of the situation

noun

A line or set of lines enclosing or indicating the shape of an object in a sketch or diagram.

Usage examples:

The chalked outline of a human body

verb

Draw, trace, or define the outer edge or shape of.

Usage examples:

Her eyes were darkly outlined with kohl

noun

A statement of the main facts, ideas, or items

Usage examples:

The house approved the broad outlines of the president’s budget., she drew the outline of a face., …

noun

The continuous line forming the boundary of a closed geometrical figure.

Usage examples:

The perimeter of a rectangle

noun

The outer limits or edge of an area or object.

Usage examples:

New buildings on the periphery of the hospital site

noun

The outer edge of an area

Usage examples:

We’ve planted 50 small trees around the periphery of the property.

noun

A tube used to convey water, gas, oil, or other fluid substances.

Usage examples:

Roads, bridges, utility lines, water and sewer pipes, and other supporting services have to be rebu…

verb

Convey (water, gas, oil, or other fluid substances) through a pipe or pipes.

Usage examples:

Water from the lakes is piped to manchester

noun

The ability or capacity to do something or act in a particular way.

Usage examples:

The power of speech

verb

Supply (a device) with mechanical or electrical energy.

Usage examples:

The car is powered by a fuel-injected 3.0-litre engine

noun

The ability or right to control people and events, or to influence the way people act or think in important ways

Usage examples:

The election results showed that the democrats had lost power, with republicans taking over five mo…

noun

The condition of being considered more important than someone or something else; priority in importance, order, or rank.

Usage examples:

His desire for power soon took precedence over any other consideration

noun

The condition of being dealt with before other things or of being considered more important than other things

Usage examples:

What takes precedence here, environmental cost or consumer convenience?

noun

The fact that something is more important than other things and should be dealt with first

Usage examples:

The cases led to a debate about whether human rights should sometimes take precedence over national…

noun

The fact of being pre-eminent or most important.

Usage examples:

London's primacy as a financial centre

noun

The upper or outer edge of an object, typically something circular or approximately circular.

Usage examples:

A china egg cup with a gold rim

verb

Form or act as an outer edge or rim for.

Usage examples:

A huge lake rimmed by glaciers

verb

Lick or suck the anus of (someone) as a means of sexual stimulation.

noun

A position to the left or right of an object, place, or central point.

Usage examples:

A town on the other side of the river

verb

Support or oppose in a conflict, dispute, or debate.

Usage examples:

He felt that max had betrayed him by siding with beatrice

verb

Walk in a furtive, unobtrusive, or timid manner, especially sideways or obliquely.

Usage examples:

I sidled up to her

noun

An act or instance of sidling somewhere.

Usage examples:

A sidle into the hallway

noun

A garment fastened around the waist and hanging down around the legs, worn by women and girls.

Usage examples:

After a swim, put on the wrap skirt over your bikini or swim suit, and go for a drink.

verb

Go round or past the edge of.

Usage examples:

He did not go through the city but skirted it

verb

A garment hanging from the waist

verb

Move smoothly and quietly with gliding steps, in a stealthy or sensuous manner.

Usage examples:

The fox came slinking through the bracken

noun

A slinking movement or walk.

Usage examples:

She moved with a sensuous slink

verb

To walk or leave quietly, esp. because you do not want to be noticed or are ashamed of something

Usage examples:

I was so embarrassed that i tried to slink away.

verb

Take (another person's property) without permission or legal right and without intending to return it.

Usage examples:

Thieves stole her bicycle

noun

A bargain.

Usage examples:

At £59.95 it's an absolute steal

verb

Take without the owner's consent

noun

The state of being superior.

Usage examples:

An attempt to establish superiority over others

noun

The state or condition of being superior to all others in authority, power, or status.

Usage examples:

The supremacy of the king

noun

The highest authority or greatest power

Usage examples:

He approved the supremacy of a strong federal government over the demands of states.

verb

Be all round (someone or something).

Usage examples:

The hotel is surrounded by its own gardens

noun

A thing that forms a border or edging round an object.

Usage examples:

An oak fireplace surround

verb

To be around something on all sides

Usage examples:

Snow-capped mountains surround the city., the house was surrounded by dense woods., i’m interested …

verb

Move or cause to move slowly or rhythmically backwards and forwards or from side to side.

Usage examples:

He swayed slightly on his feet

noun

A rhythmical movement from side to side.

Usage examples:

The easy sway of her hips

verb

Move back and forth

determiner

Denoting one or more people or things already mentioned or assumed to be common knowledge.

Usage examples:

What's the matter?

definite article

Used before a noun to refer to a particular thing because it is clear which thing is intended

Usage examples:

I just bought a new shirt and tie. the shirt was expensive, but the tie wasn’t., there’s someone at…

noun

A situation in which you have a lot of advantages or power

Usage examples:

Throughout the technology boom of the 1990s, the company sat in the catbird seat., this discovery p…

noun

If you have the upper hand, you have more power than anyone else and so have control

Usage examples:

After hours of fierce negotiations, the president gained/got/had the upper hand.

idiom

To be the person or group that has the most power in a situation

Usage examples:

During the last decade the right wing of the party has held the whip hand.

verb

Make (something) neat or of the required size or form by cutting away irregular or unwanted parts.

Usage examples:

Trim the grass using a sharp mower

noun

Additional decoration, typically along the edges of something and in contrasting colour or material.

Usage examples:

A red blazer with gold trim

adjective

Neat and smart in appearance; in good order.

Usage examples:

His face was freshly shaved, his clothes neat and trim

noun

An edge or border.

Usage examples:

They came down to the verge of the lake

verb

Be very close or similar to.

Usage examples:

Despair verging on the suicidal

noun

A wand or rod carried before a bishop or dean as an emblem of office.

Usage examples:

‘i will carry on looking after the verges until they (the council) shoot me,’ he said.