from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Edge \Edge\ ([e^]j), n. [OE. eg, egge, AS. ecg; akin to OHG.
ekka, G. ecke, Icel. & Sw. egg, Dan. eg, and to L. acies, Gr.
'akh` point, Skr. a[,c]ri edge. [root]1. Cf. {Egg}, v. t.,
{Eager}, {Ear} spike of corn, {Acute}.]
1. The thin cutting side of the blade of an instrument; as,
the edge of an ax, knife, sword, or scythe. Hence,
(figuratively), That which cuts as an edge does, or wounds
deeply, etc.
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He which hath the sharp sword with two edges. --Rev.
ii. 12.
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Slander,
Whose edge is sharper than the sword. --Shak.
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2. Any sharp terminating border; a margin; a brink; extreme
verge; as, the edge of a table, a precipice.
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Upon the edge of yonder coppice. --Shak.
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In worst extremes, and on the perilous edge
Of battle. --Milton.
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Pursue even to the very edge of destruction. --Sir
W. Scott.
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3. Sharpness; readiness or fitness to cut; keenness;
intenseness of desire.
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The full edge of our indignation. --Sir W.
Scott.
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Death and persecution lose all the ill that they can
have, if we do not set an edge upon them by our
fears and by our vices. --Jer. Taylor.
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4. The border or part adjacent to the line of division; the
beginning or early part; as, in the edge of evening. "On
the edge of winter." --Milton.
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{Edge joint} (Carp.), a joint formed by two edges making a
corner.
{Edge mill}, a crushing or grinding mill in which stones roll
around on their edges, on a level circular bed; -- used
for ore, and as an oil mill. Called also {Chilian mill}.
{Edge molding} (Arch.), a molding whose section is made up of
two curves meeting in an angle.
{Edge plane}.
(a) (Carp.) A plane for edging boards.
(b) (Shoemaking) A plane for edging soles.
{Edge play}, a kind of swordplay in which backswords or
cutlasses are used, and the edge, rather than the point,
is employed.
{Edge rail}. (Railroad)
(a) A rail set on edge; -- applied to a rail of more depth
than width.
(b) A guard rail by the side of the main rail at a switch.
--Knight.
{Edge railway}, a railway having the rails set on edge.
{Edge stone}, a curbstone.
{Edge tool}.
(a) Any tool or instrument having a sharp edge intended
for cutting.
(b) A tool for forming or dressing an edge; an edging
tool.
{To be on edge},
(a) to be eager, impatient, or anxious.
(b) to be irritable or nervous.
{on edge},
(a) See {to be on edge}.
(b) See {to set the teeth on edge}.
{To set the teeth on edge},
(a) to cause a disagreeable tingling sensation in the
teeth, as by bringing acids into contact with them.
[archaic] --Bacon.
(b) to produce a disagreeable or unpleasant sensation; to
annoy or repel; -- often used of sounds; as, the
screeching of of the subway train wheels sets my teeth
on edge.
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