edge1 nounedge2 verb
edgeedge1 /edʒ/ ●●● S2 W2 noun 
WORD ORIGINedge1
Origin:
Old English ecgEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- A group of children were playing at the water's edge.
- Don't put your glass so close to the edge of the table.
- Gretel lives in a simple cottage on the edge of the forest.
- He set the ashtray down on the edge of the table.
- Keep away from the edge of the cliff - you might fall.
- My uncle's house is on the edge of town near the freeway.
- Some athletes lose their edge by their mid-20s.
- The edges of the carpet were torn.
- The plates have blue lines around the edges.
- There's an enormous oak tree at the edge of the garden.
- We camped right at the edge of the desert.
- You'll need a knife with a very sharp edge.
- Don't measure the edge of your knitting as this is inaccurate.
- Not only did I have loops at the edge, but seven or eight stitches actually leapt off the needles.
- She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and went over to the window to look down at the courtyard.
- Then she pulled the old one out and threw it away, over the edge of the roof.
- There was a strong sweet earthy smell from the slopes of soil around its edges.
- When she recovered she was holding on to the edge of the table for balance.
- You know, I wonder, could we, could I try to sand out the edges here?
THESAURUS
the part of something that is furthest from its centre or nearest the place where it ends: · He got up quickly, knocking his plate off the edge of the table.· the outer edge of the village
the part of something that is near its left or right edge: · On the left side of the garden there was an old stone wall.· They parked by the side of the road.
the edge of something circular, especially the top of a cup or glass, or the outside edge of a pair of glasses: · a white cup with a gold rim· She was looking at me over the rim of her spectacles.
the empty space at the side of a page that has writing on it: · My teacher had marked my essay and made some comments in the margin.· Leave wide margins on both sides of the page.
the edge of a piece of cloth that is turned under and stitched down, especially the lower edge of a skirt, trousers etc: · If you want the dress a bit shorter, I can easily turn up the hem.
British English, curb American English the edge of the pavement (=raised path) at the side of a road: · A big black car was parked at the kerb.
the areas of a city that are furthest away from the centre: · The new station was built on the outskirts of the city.
the outside edge around an enclosed area of land such as a military camp or a prison: · Security guards patrol the perimeter night and day.
Longman Language Activatorthe edge of an object, surface, or place the part of something that is nearest to its outside or end: · The plates have blue lines around the edges.· Don't put your glass so close to the edge of the table.at the edge (of): · There's an enormous oak tree at the edge of the garden.
the part of an object that is near its left or right edge: · The stage was lit from the side.on the side (of): · Mike always puts his feet on my side of the bed.left-hand/right-hand side of something (=on the left or right): · The new five-dollar bills have shifted the president's head toward the left-hand side.
the empty space at the side of a printed page: · The program sets the margins automatically.in the margin: · There were notes pencilled in the margin.
a narrow band that goes around the edge of something such as a picture or a piece of material, especially one that is for decoration: · The tablecloth had a brightly patterned border.· Samantha was wearing a knee-length skirt with a green border.border of: · Jill wants to plant a border of flowers around the lawn.
the circular edge of something, especially the edge at the top of a glass or cup, or the outside edge of a wheel or a pair of glasses: · The china set was blue with a gold rim.· John's glasses had small lenses and steel rims.rim of: · Her lipstick left a red mark on the rim of the cup.
the edge of a country, place or area of land the part of a town, city etc that is farthest from the centre: on the edge (of): · My uncle's house is on the edge of town, near the airport.· Gretel lives in a simple cottage on the edge of the forest.
the areas of a city furthest away from the centre: on the outskirts (of): · Her parents lived in a big house on the outskirts of Manchester.· We stayed on the outskirts of the capital.the outskirts of something: · We heard gunshots as we drove through the outskirts of the city.
the official line that separates two countries, or the area of land near this line: the Italian/Brazilian/Nigerian etc border (=the border between Italy, Brazil etc and another country): · Isn't Manto near the Italian border?· Jeumont is a small town on the French-Belgian border.cross the border: · Refugees have been warned not to attempt to cross the border.on the border (with something): · The talks were held in the northeastern state of Nuevo Leon, on the border with the US.the border with (=the border separating one country from another): · It is a mountainous region, occupying a large area near the border with Nepal.border town/area/patrol: · We spent the night in, a miserable little border town.border dispute (=arguments and fighting between countries about where a border should be): · Fighting in border disputes has killed at least 25 people.
especially British the border of a country, where people cross from one country to another: · Many of the cars crossing the frontier were stopped and searched.· They settled in Ronco, a picturesque village near the Italian frontier.frontier post (=place where soldiers guard a border): · He was questioned by soldiers at a frontier post.
the official line that marks the edge of an area of land, for example of a farm or a part of a country: · A fence marks the property's boundaries.boundary of: · the easternmost boundary of Greater Manchesterboundary between: · The Mississippi River forms a natural boundary between Iowa and Illinois.
the outside edge around an enclosed area of land such as a military camp or a prison: · Security guards patrol the perimeter.· the perimeter of the airfieldperimeter fence/wall/road etc (=one that goes around the perimeter): · A secure perimeter fence should be at least two metres high.
machines, systems etc · The factory has installed advanced machinery at enormous cost.· Modern armies consist of fewer soldiers and more advanced weapons systems.· The bomb-detection equipment now used in most airports is very advanced.
very advanced, and better designed or more skilfully made than other things of the same type, and often working in a complicated way: · The missile has a sophisticated guidance system.highly sophisticated (=very sophisticated): · Eye operations often involve the use of highly sophisticated equipment, such as lasers.
: high-tech industry/company/equipment etc using very advanced electronic equipment and machines, especially computers: · Northern California remains a popular location for high-tech firms.· On display at the exhibition will be a range of 'hi-tech homes of the future'.· Prices of computers, electronics, and other high-tech products have fallen at a rapid pace.
a smart machine, bomb, weapon etc has a computer system that makes it able to control itself and make decisions for itself about how to operate: · The US used smart weapons in Iraq and Kosovo.· Smart machines and other appliances are operated via the Internet.
using the most advanced and recently developed methods, materials, or knowledge: · The new phone system uses state-of-the-art technology.· The movie was made with state-of-the-art computer graphics.
if something is ahead of its time , it is new and very different from other things of a similar type - use this especially about things that people do not understand or like at first, but later realize how good they are: · The Vortex graphics system was ahead of its time. Few were sold but it strongly influenced later designs.· Bonner's research in particle physics was ahead of its time and widely misunderstood.
in a more advanced position than other organizations or companies in developing and using new methods, systems, or equipment: · The company is trying to regain its position at the leading edge of biomedical research.· Developments in computer chip design are at the cutting edge of the technological revolution.
when something gives someone an advantage · The fact that Liverpool had only ten men playing for them gave the other team an advantage.give sb an advantage over · What gives the company an advantage over its competitors is its location.
to give someone a slight advantage, for example in a competition or election: · His ten years' experience will give him the edge in tomorrow's fight.give sb the edge over: · He tried to find out as much as he could about the company, believing that it would give him the edge over the other interviewees.
if something is to your advantage, it will help you to succeed: · It will be to your advantage to start preparing for the exam now. Don't wait until the last minute.could/would/might be to somebody's advantage: · I think you should accept Steve's offer to help you with the presentation -- it could be to your advantage.
British /be in somebody's favor American if a situation or conditions are in someone's favour , they will help that person succeed: · Investors are hoping that the new regulations will operate in their favor.tip the balance in somebody's favour (=to give someone a slight advantage): · It will be a closely fought match, but Corgan's greater physical strength is likely to tip the balance in his favour.
British /favor American if a situation or conditions such as the weather favour someone, they make that person more likely to succeed than other people: · The weather favours the Australians, who are used to playing in the heat.· German negotiators denied that economic circumstances had favored their companies and given them an export advantage.
better than someone or something else · We could either go to Florida or California -- which do you think is better?better than · Your job is better than mine.· My sister is a better student than me.· The sales figures were better than we expected.better at something/doing something · Lucy's better at mathematics than I am.far better/much better/a lot better · His latest novel is far better than anything he's written before.better quality · Consumers are demanding lower prices, better quality, and a larger selection of goods.
products, skills, or services that are superior are better than those that they are competing against: · Our aim is to provide our clients with a superior service at all times.· The company has a reputation for superior technology and customer loyalty.superior to: · They claimed that a vegetarian diet was superior to a meat diet.
written goods or services that are of a higher standard or higher quality are better than they were previously or better than goods or services of a similar kind: · In the mid-eighties, American consumers began to purchase more and more Japanese products, believing they were better value and of higher quality.of a higher standard/of higher quality than: · Government officials are claiming that the health care available here is of a much higher standard than in neighbouring countries.
informal to be much better and more enjoyable than something else: · Jake's home-made burgers beat anything you can get at fast-food restaurants.beat doing something: · It's not a particularly good job, but it certainly beats being unemployed.
informal clearly better than others of the same type: · Musicians of the time admitted that the Ellington Orchestra was a cut above all others.a cut above the rest: · The first applicant we interviewed was definitely a cut above the rest.
to be slightly better than something or someone else: have the edge on/over something: · Their new laptop computer seems to have the edge on the competition.have the edge on/over somebody: · Having spent a year in Brazil, she hoped she would have the edge over the other language students.
to be better, more effective, and more useful than something else, especially because of a particular feature: have an advantage over something: · The fact that this computer is so simple to use means that it has an advantage over most other systems.have a distinct advantage over something (=have a clear advantage over something): · For certain types of work, natural wood has distinct advantages over plastics.
to be much more skilful and more successful at doing something than someone else: be more than a match for somebody: · When it comes to TV debates, Senator Murphy's more than a match for any of his rivals.be more than a match for something: · The rebel army's tactics are more than a match for the nation's military forces.
better than something of the usual type, for example by being more enjoyable, more useful, or of higher quality: · I don't want an ordinary wedding. I want something special.· Of my nine gold medals, this one is the most special.· Some aides privately complain that the Senator receives special treatment.
feeling excited about something feeling happy and full of energy, especially about something good that has happened or is going to happen: · Steve's coming home tomorrow - we're all really excited.· crowds of excited football fansexcited about: · How can you be so excited about a stupid computer game?get excited: · When Mattie gets excited, she starts talking really fast.excited by: · Doctors are very excited by the discovery.excited to do something: · When we get home, the dogs are always excited to see us.
to feel excited about something good that is going to happen and to think about it a lot: · The kids are looking forward to their vacation - they've never been to California before.look forward to doing something: · She's really looking forward to meeting him.
spoken if you can't wait for something to happen, you want it to happen soon because you are very excited about it: · "We'll see you next week." "I know - I can't wait!"can't wait for: · The kids can't wait for Christmas.can't wait to do something: · He couldn't wait to get home and tell Dean the news.can't wait for somebody/something to do something: · I can't wait for the football season to start.
very excited , happy, and pleased: thrilled to do something: · I'm thrilled to be here tonight.thrilled with: · Chester's absolutely thrilled with his baby daughter.thrilled at/by: · She was thrilled at the idea of flying to Europe.thrilled to bitsBritish spoken thrilled to death/pieces American spoken (=very thrilled): · Paul is thrilled to death that I'm finally learning to cook.
feeling very excited and full of energy because you are experiencing something that you have never experienced before, especially something dangerous or unusual: · The first time I flew a plane alone, I felt both exhilarated and scared.exhilarated by: · She felt exhilarated by her new sense of power.
American informal to be excited and full of energy, especially when this makes you ready to compete or play sport: · After the coach's pep talk, we were all really pumped and ready to play.get somebody pumped (up) (=make some excited and full of energy): · Nothing gets the crowd or the players pumped up more than a good slam dunk.
if a place is buzzing with excitement , people are very excited, especially because something is about to happen: · The crowd was buzzing as everyone waited for the band to come on stage.· The new stadium has sports fans buzzing with excitement.
to be excited and slightly nervous when you are watching something because you do not know what will happen next: · I was on the edge of my seat from the beginning of the movie to the end.keep somebody on the edge of their seat (=make someone very excited because they do not know what will happen next): · The final ten minutes of the game kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
to be nervous and excited because you are anxiously waiting to hear the result of something, or to know what happens at the end of a story: · After the interview Fran was on tenterhooks, wondering if she'd got the job.keep somebody on tenterhooks (=make someone feel nervous and excited by not telling them something): · Agatha Christie keeps the reader on tenterhooks until the final pages of the story.
if the feeling among a large group of people is at or reaches fever pitch , they are all extremely excited: · The anticipation surrounding the band's arrival is now at fever pitch.
nervous · Bill looked nervous, and I could see his hands were shaking.nervous about · Kelli was so nervous about her exam that she couldn't sleep.· I'm a little nervous about leaving the kids at home all alone.· Many investors are nervous about their investments after the recent drop in the stock market.make somebody nervous · It makes me nervous when you drive that fast.
so worried about something that you cannot relax, and you easily get angry or upset: · I always feel tense after driving all day.· Mary's problems at work were making her tense and irritable.· You seem awfully tense - why don't you have a drink and try to relax?
very nervous so that you are unable to relax and are easily surprised by sudden sounds or movements: · The dogs are jumpy tonight - I wonder if there's something outside.· She was getting jumpy thinking about the trip.· I was feeling extremely jittery - all I wanted was to leave the bar as quickly as possible.· Investors are jittery due to uncertainty about interest rates.
if someone is on edge or if their nerves are on edge , they are nervous and likely to become angry or upset very easily: · Jerry had had a hard day and his nerves were on edge.· As reports of robberies continued to appear in the press, the whole community was increasingly on edge.
nervous that something bad might happen, so that you feel anxious and unable to relax until the danger has passed: · There's something I don't trust about him. He makes me feel very uneasy.· It was the same uneasy feeling he'd experienced that morning when he saw the police car outside.uneasy about: · Rebecca was already beginning to feel uneasy about accepting the stranger's offer of a ride.
very nervous and anxious about something, especially when you are in a dangerous situation that you cannot control or change: · I began to feel panicky, sure that I was going to miss the train.· "Is he really dead?" Abe asked in a panicky voice.· After waiting for him for two hours, Lorna got panicky and called the police.
to make someone feel nervous · Have you seen the way he looks at people? He makes me nervous.· Don't watch me while I'm typing - it makes me really nervous.· Thunder and lightning always make the horses nervous.
if something unsettles you, it makes you feel slightly nervous and unable to relax or concentrate completely: · Ted's angry outbursts unsettled the whole family.· The threat of war has been enough to unsettle international oil traders.· She was still recovering from the accident so he avoided any subjects which might unsettle her.
to make someone very nervous, especially by shocking or surprising them : · Moore had been extremely unnerved by the FBI's visit.· The daily news stories of the worsening economy unnerved the nation.
to try to make someone, especially someone you are competing against in a game, lose their confidence and their ability to remain calm: psych out somebody: · McEnroe often used his bad behaviour in difficult tennis matches to psych out his opponent.psych somebody out: · Whenever we play chess Bill tries to psych me out by smirking every time I make a move.
to make someone feel very nervous so that they cannot relax: · Trying to keep the plan a secret put us all on edge.· Layoffs and work upheavals have put many employees on edge, both at work and at home.
to reduce pain, worry, or unpleasant feelings · They gave him drugs to reduce the pain.· Prompt action can often reduce the severity of shock in road accident victims.· Miriam finds that yoga and meditation help her in reducing stress.greatly/significantly/dramatically reduce · Stopping smoking can significantly reduce your risk of suffering a heart attack.
to slightly reduce pain or bad feelings: · He shifted his position a little, in order to lessen the pain in his leg.· Everyone has their own ideas about the best way to lessen jet lag.· Boys are more likely to smoke to relieve stress than girls are.
to reduce the amount of work or worry that someone has: lighten somebody's load/workload: · Maybe we should hire another secretary to lighten Barbara's workload.
to make pain or feelings less unpleasant: · Peppermint has long been regarded as a plant that can relieve indigestion.· Magnetic board games can help relieve the boredom of long car journeys for kids.· Harry attempted a couple of jokes to relieve the tension of the occasion.
to reduce pain or unpleasant feelings and make someone feel happier or more comfortable: · Rod rubbed his jaw to ease the pain a little.· The arrival of the others eased her embarrassment slightly.
formal to reduce pain, make a problem less serious, or reduce feelings such as being bored or anxious: · You can't cure a common cold, but you can alleviate the symptoms.· Western aid has helped to alleviate the situation in northern India.
to reduce physical pain or emotional problems, especially with the result that you feel nothing at all: · They gave me a local anaesthetic to deaden the pain.· It was impossible not to think about her baby, but the drugs dulled her panic.
to make something such as pain, hunger, or a shock slightly less unpleasant or upsetting: · I took a couple of painkillers, which took the edge off the pain.· Knowing that Peter was close by took the edge off my anxiety for my grandson.
: allay somebody's fears/concern/suspicions etc formal to make someone much less frightened, concerned etc: · The government is anxious to allay public fears over the safety of beef.· Showing her his identity card went some way towards allaying her suspicions.
the part that is furthest from the middle one of the parts of an area that is furthest from the middle and closest to the edge: side of: · Two men were sitting at the side of the road.· Dancers came on from both sides of the stage.· People had formed a long queue that went around the sides of the room.on the side (of something): · Just put your things over there on the side.· There were high walls on all four sides of the prison yard.
the part around an object or area that is furthest from its centre, or the part along its side where its surface ends: · A group of children were playing at the water's edge.edge of: · The edges of the carpet were torn.· Keep away from the edge of the cliff - you might fall.on the edge of something: · He set the ashtray down on the edge of the table.at the edge of something (=next to the edge): · We camped right at the edge of the desert.
one of the two parts of a long object or area that are furthest from each other: end of: · He cut a thick slice from the end of the loaf.at one end of something: · Mrs Deacon sat at one end of the long table and I sat at the other.at both ends: · There are scoreboards at both ends of the stadium.at each end: · A boy was carrying a stick across his shoulders with a pail of water at each end.
the empty space on the left or right side of a page of writing: · Someone had written a note in the left-hand margin.· She widened the margins so her essay would look longer.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 1adjectives
At that time Bosnia was standing on the edge of an abyss. The team seems to have lost its competitive edge recently (=its ability to compete well). The team are relying on Gregg to give them a cutting edge. the broken bottle’s jagged edge His future in the job is balanced on a knife-edge. The economy is poised on the edge of collapse. The stock market is on the edge of a precipice. There was just a touch of sarcasm in her voice. Use a knife with a serrated edge.
· I gripped the top edge of the door and pulled myself up.
· The lower edge of the window frame was starting to rot.
· I banged my elbow on the front edge of the desk.
· He painted carefully around the inner edge of each door.
· The airport is located on the outer edge of town.
(=the part of an area that is close to the point where the area ends)· There’s a ridge of hills on the northern edge of the county.
phrases (=the land next to the sea)· The castle stands on the edge of the sea.
(=the land next to a river etc)· We sat down at the water’s edge.
Meaning 3verbs (=to be slightly better than someone or something else)· We believe our products have the edge over the competition.
(=gain a small advantage over someone or something else)· A well trained workforce is a key factor in gaining a competitive edge over our rivals.
(=give someone a small advantage)· I hope my qualifications and experience will give me the edge.
(=lose an advantage that you had)· He’s had a lot of injuries and lost a lot of his competitive edge.
adjectives (also a bit of an edge) (=a small advantage)· Running on the inside lane will give him a slight edge.
(=a definite or noticeable advantage)· Being tall gives you a distinct edge in some sports.
(=something that makes a person or business able to compete successfully against other people or businesses)· He believes investment in new technology is the only way for the company to maintain its competitive edge.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES At that time Bosnia was standing on the edge of an abyss.· Keep away from the cliff edge.
The team seems to have lost its competitive edge recently (=its ability to compete well). The team are relying on Gregg to give them a cutting edge. the broken bottle’s jagged edge His future in the job is balanced on a knife-edge. (=they feel nervous or worried about what might happen)· His nerves were on edge as he entered the dark room.
(=to be very close to having a nervous breakdown)· These events left her on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
The economy is poised on the edge of collapse. The stock market is on the edge of a precipice. There was just a touch of sarcasm in her voice. Use a knife with a serrated edge.· It was six o'clock when she reached the outskirts of the town.
(=something that has as many bad results as good ones) Strong leadership is a two-edged sword.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE Strong leadership is a two-edged sword.· Mr Coleridge inherits a market that has made some sensible moves to improve its competitive edge.· They would dilute the quality of his product, blunting a competitive edge.· There seemed to be very little wrong with his competitive edge, or his nerve.· They have a competitive edge in larger buying power, enabling them to acquire stock at prices way below the small independents.· On the contrary, much of it - the taxation proposals in particular - is calculated to sacrifice our competitive edge.· They achieve the competitive edge because everyone is helping to achieve it.· What is the competitive edge which the company has and is this sustainable?· Great training for life in the U. S. Gives you that competitive edge.
· Built for horse carts, it linked the eastern edge of the village with the fields.· The Constellation crashed on Auchinweet Farm, on the eastern edge of Tarbolton parish, about 5 miles east of the airport.· Or so it was until the white man first appeared, out of the forests on the grasslands' eastern edge.· About 1,000 protesters, many from groups that were active in Seattle, demonstrated at the eastern edge of the village.· The campus is located on the eastern edge of Walt Disney World.· Ostermark Ostermark is a large and mostly rural province, lying at the north eastern edge of the Empire.· I headed back toward the eastern edge of town.
· X100's body will be rounded and sculpted, with soft, flowing lines and no hard edges or chrome highlights.· The demonstrations, meanwhile, began to take on a harder edge in recent weeks.· They still play honest hard rock, but now it sounds fresher and has thousands of hard edges.· She remains gutsy throughout presenting a harder edge to previous Ritas I have seen.· He had a hard edge to his voice.· Flats are suitable for larger strokes, holding a good charge of pigment and are good for hard edges.· Her smile broadened, lost its hard edge.· These can be made tighter by running the material over a hard edge to squeeze the coils.
· Flames leapt hundreds of feet high, illuminating the jagged edges of the blocks.· There are too many jagged edges to the Clinton experience, too many highs and lows.· At one corner, a large chunk had been knocked out completely, leaving a nasty, jagged edge.· If you constantly catch your clothes on a jagged counter edge, sand it down.· The shaman broke the bones with his bare hands, and used the jagged edges to scratch at his bark.· When such trend lines are smoothed, the jagged edges are sawn off.· Some of the major new features include TrueType, which can create type of varying sizes without any jagged edges.· For the moment it may have smoothed or at least covered the jagged edges between the two sides.
· The weaving yarn should always be on the leading edge of the carriage.· One that balances leading edge technological capability with a thorough understanding of your business.· Add a border or binding down the leading and bottom edges of curtains for a real interior designer touch.· Flap extension automatically selects drooping leading edge down.· Position this end to the leading edges of the lining.· The rearmost sections of the leading edges might be detached from the joining ferrules.· So it pays to arrange the squares at right angles to the leading edges or at right angles to the spine.· Two points on the spine were used as bridle attachments and a third at the cross-spar connection to the leading edge.
· We have already seen that tunnels at the northern edge of the High Wood were used as the Library of the system.· So Elizondo remains in the Wynne prison unit on the northern edge of Huntsville, Texas.· A strong anomaly near Broadclyst is probably caused by the northern edge of a concealed southward-dipping lava sheet.· At its peak last week, about 500 people were camping in the woods on the northern edge of Lake County.· The wind sock was on the northern edge.· At the time, it lay on the northern edge of Baltimore Town.· Beyond, the huge sea cliffs of the northern edge of Heimæy form a sharp ridge that offers an airy walk.· The winds from the northern edge of Hugo whipped tourist communities around Myrtle Beach.
· Finish the semi-circle with a strip of hardboard nailed to the outer edges of the plywood arch.· Beyond Lovettsville, on the outer edge of my universe, lay Brunswick.· A strip of the relevant colour appears on the outer edge of each page within the sections.· He would for ever inhabit this ragged outer edge with me.· By the standards of the Dubrovlag she had a nice home, a two-bedroomed bungalow on the outer edge of the village.· Uneven as the crowd was, my path had taken me close to an outer edge near the earliest assigned parking area.· Impressively blackened rocks loomed large, their outer edges darkly green against the frothy white-capped waves.· This is a term for small vee cuts through both pieces of fabric on the outer edge.
· Turn under the raw edge of the top seam allowance and tack in place over the trimmed edge.· Turn in the raw edges of both seam allowances towards each other and match the folded edges.· In a week or so weather and growth would have sealed up again all the raw edges that betrayed its use.· With raw edges level, tack bias strip around neck edge with ends on top of facing.· Neaten outer edge of bias strip or turn under raw edge.· To make a plain seam, place two pieces of fabric together with right sides facing and with raw edges level.· Trim the raw edges of the fabric with pinking shears.· Fans and reviewers enjoyed the raw edge and revelled in the energy and melody thrown out of the guitar crashing mayhem.
· Although he sometimes rounded the rough edges off the truth, he remained an amusing raconteur and lively company.· They were the pioneers willing to accept the rough edges of life on the technological frontier.· Unpredictable, emotional and alive, it is, in keeping with the area, soul with the rough edges intact.· But the Florentine School had not polished away her rough edges.· He writes catchy tunes with lavish pop hooks and huge slices of melody. Rough edges are few and far between.· He managed to smooth away his rougher edges.· Too much pressure, and you get a rough edge.· Early rough edges refined in the studio and the power never drags.
· Again do not round over the sharp edges when sanding.· Every aspect of my real estate practice presents sharp edges, you see.· She has a sharp cutting edge and woe betide the Europhile who treads on her toes.· Use an emery board to smooth sharp edges that could cut an adjacent toe.· Avoid items with sharp edges or the potential to trap fish.· I could see the metal barrel of a pistol, or the sharp edge of an army knife.· It needed a really sharp edge and just a light brushing with the cutter to form some of these parts.· The wound is of linear character with sharp edges.
· From the southern edge of this inland sea, it is only a short haul over the mountains to Los Angeles.· It sat at the southern edge of San Salvador on land that had once held a garbage dump.· In 1754, further burials were discovered during the rebuilding of Kate's Cabin at the southern edge of the extra-mural area.· As we rounded the lake's southern edge and moved up to the eastern shore, a faint tinkle filled the air.· The Lights of Lisbon at the southern edge of the Alfama district was one of his favourite places.· Eight miles North-west from Oxford on the southern edge of the Cotswolds is Woodstock.· After this, the path follows the southern edge of the estuary.· And even from the mainland there appeared to be a distinctly vertiginous southern edge to the island.
· He tried the hook, got a top edge and it went for two over the keeper's head.· It had a nasty, disfiguring stain running along the whole of the top edge.· Pin top edges of valance and lining together and drawstitch the folded edges together.· Stitch braid to the top edge of the swag between the pleats.· The ends can be shaped and the whole thing cleaned up, but leave the top edge until the jointing is complete.· Cut out long thin strips for trimming around the top edge of the boat and fix on with a dampened paint brush.· Pin the pleats as previously planned and hand stitch securely in position, close to top edge.· Stitch braid to the outline of the pleats, covering stitching along top edge.
· He sat down again on the very edge of the chair and they drank the tea in silence.· At their very edges the sea encroaches far in at roughly twelve and a half hour intervals, and then retreats.· In Britain, at the very edge of its breeding range, it is living under less than optimum conditions.· They plunged over the very edge of the human capacity to feel.· The monastery has a beautiful situation, on the very edge of the river Olt in fine mountain country.· Loretta perched herself uncomfortably on the very edge of the jacket.· Now the dim light gave Manville a very slight edge, for he was in cover and his adversaries were not.· But equally you can create suspense out of going to the very edge.
· Based as it is on the north western edge of Snowdonia the centre is an ideal base for all kinds of climbing.· It was Cape Noir, at the western edge of Tierra del Fuego.· Omaha, which less than two years before had struck her as the absolute dropping-off place, the western edge of nowhere.· Romni, at the western edge of the Pale, was not spared.· Use the path along the western edge of Blea Tarn to join the Wrynose Pass road.
NOUN· They had known they were on the knife edge, and interest rates had been at 8 percent.· It's balanced on a knife edge.· Wood is also reasonably kind to the knife edge.· The news was a body blow and for several months the company was on a knife edge.· He was dressed in casual wear: grey sweater and slacks with knife edge creases.
VERB· Hybrid yields are high enough to give varieties a marketing edge.· Smith said, giving Hoffman that edge.· It takes the cyberpunk circus routines of Archaos and gives then a high-tech edge.· Some are focussing on areas such as swaps and derivatives, which can give them an edge in the primary bond market.· The goal is to customize content for a California audience, a feature that Pac Bell hopes will give it an edge.· A benefits package is a very marketable advantage, one that Trope hopes will give them the edge over other independent labels.
· We lived on the edge of the ditch.· His normal expectation was to live on the edge of starvation.· People seemed to be living on the edge of their nerves.· It was great -- people living on the edge, skiing every day, partying.· Witches always lived on the edges of things.· People lived at the edge of the forest or made clearings in it.· Customers willing to live on the edge purchased approximately seventy-two thousand units.
· McEnroe, who lost a tough match with Stefano Pescosolido, 7-6 1-6 6-4, said he was losing his mental edge.· In later years Winthrop lost his gentle edge and firm hold.· There is no sign that Silicon Valley is losing its innovative edge.· Only in the last chapters does the book lose some of its edge.· News at Ten was not exactly sinking, but it was generally agreed it had lost its edge.· I lost the edges of myself and began to soak into the floorboards.· Subsequent releases lost that initial edge, as the band looked to more complex expressions of their art.· He also writes of how his illness changed him, how this worldly man gained a spirituality without losing his edge.
· She perched on the edge of the sofa, gazing into the mock flames from the gas fire.· From the moment he took the rostrum, Gergiev had his musicians tensely perched on the edge of their seats.· He swung his legs around so that he was perched on the edge of the bunk.· Chesarynth perched on the edge of her seat, fearing a poisoned needle in the cushions.· She perched at its edge and let her pen, as was her wont, run automatically over the creamy paper.· Bobbie was perched on the edge of the couch.· He cast around for a chair, shoved some papers aside with a foot and perched on the edge of an armchair.· She sidled cautiously towards the equipment, and perched on the edge of a deep mahogany box.
· De Nesle sat down on the edge of the desk and picked up the coffee cup.· He got me to sit on the edge of my oak dresser, and then he walked into me.· He swung himself to sit on the edge of the bed, and dropped his head in his hands.· Riker threw me the box and walked back to sit on the edge of the cargo deck.· He sat on the edge of the bed and dialled his office number.· She liked him to sit on the edge and talk to her.· The small village, no more than 20 wooden and canvas shacks, sat on the edge of a coastal inlet.· I sit on the edge of the padded table, naked, and stare at the envelope.
· Martin was standing at the furthermost edge of the terrace, looking over the gardens and down to the sea.· She stands at the edge of the crowd.· Turn around. Stand on the edge.· They were kindly asked to stand at the edge of a knee-deep ditch.· Dunvegan Castle stands on the edge of the sea, and looks up along the long narrow Loch Dunvegan to the north-west.· Let my dad kidnap me, he pleaded as he stood at the edge of the driveway.· I stood at the edge of the drive, out of sight of the approaching runner.· The only gas station stood at the edge of town.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► be on the ragged edge► be on a razor/razor’s edge
1outside part [countable] the part of an object that is furthest from its centre: - As you can perhaps appreciate, this rather took the edge off my initial delight.
- But it takes the edge off the pain.
- He had decisively taken the edge off trade union power.
- Moneylarge sums of money-can take the edge off an ambitious person.
- The burning wood takes the edge off the morning cold, and it helps brew our coffee.
- The sun was warm on my back, but the south-easterly wind took the edge off the stifling heat.
- This will take the edge off your anxiety.
- This would certainly take the edge off the impending Apollo lunar landing.
- The movie's last scenes kept us on the edge of our seats.
- Chesarynth perched on the edge of her seat, fearing a poisoned needle in the cushions.
- From the moment he took the rostrum, Gergiev had his musicians tensely perched on the edge of their seats.
- He was waiting for her answer, not exactly on the edge of his seat, though.
- This dramatic opening had me on the edge of my seat!
- This keeps you on the edge of your seat.
- We're on the edge of our seats.
- Apparently I was on the edge of the crater and the main blast had gone over me.
- Everything blended with everything else, trees and brush and sky, and already he was on the edge of lost.
- He liked the feeling they were on the edge.
- He sped to the line for the try after the ball evaded Packman and Northampton were on the edge of defeat.
- He was on the edge of the crowd, and not hiding his amusement.
- They went so fast sometimes he thought they were on the edge of no-control.
- They were on the edge of the mountain.
- Yet people ignore the plight of, say, the several species of bat which are on the edge of extinction.
- As reports of robberies continued to appear in the press, the whole community was increasingly on edge.
- Jerry had had a hard day and his nerves were on edge.
- But from where we stand, they appear to be teetering on the edge of financial -- and societal -- disaster.
- Gripsholm Castle is built on the edge of Lake Mälar, not far from Strängnäs.
- He was waiting for her answer, not exactly on the edge of his seat, though.
- I rested for a few minutes, then sat on the edge of the bed and looked around.
- It is a dangerous moment, pregnant with hope teetering on the edge of despair.
- She found a bathroom further along, and sat on the edge of the bath.
- She slid out of bed and sat on the edge of his cot.
- We're on the edge of our seats.
- Amazingly, he accomplished that while dancing on the cutting edge.
- As president of a modeling agency, Page Parkes follows the cutting edge.
- But the cutting edge doesn't come cheap.
- In fact, this white-owned company was often on the cutting edge of new directions.
- Settlement houses and settlement house workers were at the cutting edge of social change.
- The decade's retreat from the cutting edge is certainly in evidence.
- But the potential financial boost is a double-edged sword.
- It's been said before that being well-known is a double-edged sword.
- That can be a double-edged sword, commercially and artistically.
- The competition rules must be regarded as a double-edged sword by businesses.
- This, however, rapidly proved a double-edged weapon.
- Throughout our history, judicial review has been a double-edged sword.
- the leading edge of a plane's wing
- To survive, companies must stay on the leading edge of technology.
- By having an aerodynamic, efficient leading edge.
- One that balances leading edge technological capability with a thorough understanding of your business.
- Part of it went upwards perforating the leading edge of the fin in several places.
- Somehow, he accomplishes it and keeps doing work at the leading edge.
- That so weakened the plane that the fuselage broke in two, just forward of the leading edge of the wings.
- The weaving yarn should always be on the leading edge of the carriage.
- When curtains are to butt together, plan to have a half space at each leading edge.
- When glass fibre tubular spars were standard practice, leading edge distortion would form an otherwise straight line into a swan-neck shape!
- Fans and reviewers enjoyed the raw edge and revelled in the energy and melody thrown out of the guitar crashing mayhem.
- In a week or so weather and growth would have sealed up again all the raw edges that betrayed its use.
- Neaten outer edge of bias strip or turn under raw edge.
- To make a plain seam, place two pieces of fabric together with right sides facing and with raw edges level.
- Trim the raw edges of the fabric with pinking shears.
- Turn in the raw edges of both seam allowances towards each other and match the folded edges.
- Turn under the raw edge of the top seam allowance and tack in place over the trimmed edge.
- With raw edges level, tack bias strip around neck edge with ends on top of facing.
- The play still has a few rough edges, but by next week it should be all right.
- Chesarynth perched on the edge of her seat, fearing a poisoned needle in the cushions.
- From the moment he took the rostrum, Gergiev had his musicians tensely perched on the edge of their seats.
- He was waiting for her answer, not exactly on the edge of his seat, though.
- This dramatic opening had me on the edge of my seat!
- This keeps you on the edge of your seat.
- We're on the edge of our seats.
- The country is teetering on the brink of a massive financial crisis.
- A moment later, realising she was teetering on the brink of self-pity, she brought herself up short.
- As the piece opens, he is in an internment camp, and she is teetering on the edge of madness.
- He says that the country is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.
- He was teetering on the brink of something serious.
- If it were as bad as its critics contend, our society would be teetering on the edge of extinction.
- Now he was teetering on the edge of the parapet.
- We are teetering on the edge of farce.
- Wednesday morning, during an hourlong session with reporters, Forbes appeared to be teetering on the edge of folding his campaign.
- His high-pitched squeaky voice set my teeth on edge.
- At other times their self-evident frustration sets your teeth on edge.
- He w as filing arrow heads, and the sound of the metal on the whetstone set Burun's teeth on edge.
- It was all done so genteelly that it set McAllister's teeth on edge.
- That set our teeth on edge and bring our goose pimples rising like porpoises after mackerel.
Put the eggs in the centre of the dish, with the vegetables and herbs around the edge.the edge of something the right hand edge of the page Jennifer walked to the edge of the wood. Billy sat on the edge of the bed. He stood at the water’s edge staring across the lake. A leaf was on the ground, curling up at the edges.2blade [countable] the thin sharp part of a blade or tool that cuts: a knife with a sharp edge3advantage [singular, uncountable] something that gives you an advantage over others: Companies are employing more research teams to get an edge. The next version of the software will have the edge over its competitors.4on edge nervous, especially because you are expecting something unpleasant to happen: Paul felt on edge about meeting Lisa.5voice [singular] a quality in someone’s voice that makes it sound slightly angry or impatient: There was an edge of hostility in Jack’s voice. Desperation lent an edge to her voice.6slope [countable] an area beside a very steep slope: She walked almost to the edge of the cliff.7on the edge of something close to the point at which something different, especially something bad, will happen: Their economy is on the edge of collapse. She is on the edge of despair.8quality [singular] a special quality of excitement or danger: The school’s campaign has been given an extra edge by being filmed for television.9take the edge off something to make something less bad, good, strong etc: Pascoe was drinking whisky to take the edge off the pain.10on the edge of your seat giving all your attention to something exciting: The film’s ending had me on the edge of my seat.11be on the edge informal to be behaving in a way that makes it seem as if you are going crazy → cutting edgeCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1adjectivesthe top edge· I gripped the top edge of the door and pulled myself up.the bottom/lower edge· The lower edge of the window frame was starting to rot.the front/back edge· I banged my elbow on the front edge of the desk.the inside/inner edge· He painted carefully around the inner edge of each door.the outside/outer edge· The airport is located on the outer edge of town.the northern/southern etc edge (=the part of an area that is close to the point where the area ends)· There’s a ridge of hills on the northern edge of the county.phrasesthe edge of the sea (=the land next to the sea)· The castle stands on the edge of the sea.the river’s/water’s edge (=the land next to a river etc)· We sat down at the water’s edge.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 3verbshave the edge over somebody/something (=to be slightly better than someone or something else)· We believe our products have the edge over the competition.get/gain an edge over somebody/something (=gain a small advantage over someone or something else)· A well trained workforce is a key factor in gaining a competitive edge over our rivals.give somebody the edge (=give someone a small advantage)· I hope my qualifications and experience will give me the edge.lose your edge (=lose an advantage that you had)· He’s had a lot of injuries and lost a lot of his competitive edge.adjectivesa slight edge (also a bit of an edge) (=a small advantage)· Running on the inside lane will give him a slight edge.a distinct edge (=a definite or noticeable advantage)· Being tall gives you a distinct edge in some sports.a competitive edge (=something that makes a person or business able to compete successfully against other people or businesses)· He believes investment in new technology is the only way for the company to maintain its competitive edge.THESAURUSedge the part of something that is furthest from its centre or nearest the place where it ends: · He got up quickly, knocking his plate off the edge of the table.· the outer edge of the villageside the part of something that is near its left or right edge: · On the left side of the garden there was an old stone wall.· They parked by the side of the road.rim the edge of something circular, especially the top of a cup or glass, or the outside edge of a pair of glasses: · a white cup with a gold rim· She was looking at me over the rim of her spectacles.margin the empty space at the side of a page that has writing on it: · My teacher had marked my essay and made some comments in the margin.· Leave wide margins on both sides of the page.hem the edge of a piece of cloth that is turned under and stitched down, especially the lower edge of a skirt, trousers etc: · If you want the dress a bit shorter, I can easily turn up the hem.kerb British English, curb American English the edge of the pavement (=raised path) at the side of a road: · A big black car was parked at the kerb.outskirts the areas of a city that are furthest away from the centre: · The new station was built on the outskirts of the city.perimeter the outside edge around an enclosed area of land such as a military camp or a prison: · Security guards patrol the perimeter night and day.edge1 nounedge2 verb
edgeedge2 verb VERB TABLE
edge
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | edge |
| he, she, it | edges | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | edged |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have edged |
| he, she, it | has edged | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had edged |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will edge |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have edged |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am edging |
| he, she, it | is edging | |
| you, we, they | are edging | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was edging |
| you, we, they | were edging | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been edging |
| he, she, it | has been edging | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been edging |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be edging |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been edging |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Edging my way through the crowd, I eventually managed to get to the bar.
- As he edged closer, Jan became more nervous.
- Billy edged along the ledge, trying not to look down.
- Fontes edged Gibbs in the voting for NFL Coach of the Year.
- He kept an eye on me as he edged across the room.
- I started edging towards the door, hoping to slip away unnoticed.
- Mervyn edged sideways through the front door, which seemed to be stuck.
- I brush the sleeve of her kimono as I edge past.
- Ross Perot edges ever closer to declaring himself the candidate of his new Reform Party.
- The action reversed a trend in which the two countries appeared to be edging ever so slightly toward increased cooperation.
- Then he edged a ball into his pad and some one made a stifled appeal.
- There were a few trees edging the pavement, but they were an urban stock, twisted and stunted by city poisons.
Longman Language Activatorthe edge of an object, surface, or place
the part of something that is nearest to its outside or end: · The plates have blue lines around the edges.· Don't put your glass so close to the edge of the table.at the edge (of): · There's an enormous oak tree at the edge of the garden.
the part of an object that is near its left or right edge: · The stage was lit from the side.on the side (of): · Mike always puts his feet on my side of the bed.left-hand/right-hand side of something (=on the left or right): · The new five-dollar bills have shifted the president's head toward the left-hand side.
the empty space at the side of a printed page: · The program sets the margins automatically.in the margin: · There were notes pencilled in the margin.
a narrow band that goes around the edge of something such as a picture or a piece of material, especially one that is for decoration: · The tablecloth had a brightly patterned border.· Samantha was wearing a knee-length skirt with a green border.border of: · Jill wants to plant a border of flowers around the lawn.
the circular edge of something, especially the edge at the top of a glass or cup, or the outside edge of a wheel or a pair of glasses: · The china set was blue with a gold rim.· John's glasses had small lenses and steel rims.rim of: · Her lipstick left a red mark on the rim of the cup.
the edge of a country, place or area of land the part of a town, city etc that is farthest from the centre: on the edge (of): · My uncle's house is on the edge of town, near the airport.· Gretel lives in a simple cottage on the edge of the forest.
the areas of a city furthest away from the centre: on the outskirts (of): · Her parents lived in a big house on the outskirts of Manchester.· We stayed on the outskirts of the capital.the outskirts of something: · We heard gunshots as we drove through the outskirts of the city.
the official line that separates two countries, or the area of land near this line: the Italian/Brazilian/Nigerian etc border (=the border between Italy, Brazil etc and another country): · Isn't Manto near the Italian border?· Jeumont is a small town on the French-Belgian border.cross the border: · Refugees have been warned not to attempt to cross the border.on the border (with something): · The talks were held in the northeastern state of Nuevo Leon, on the border with the US.the border with (=the border separating one country from another): · It is a mountainous region, occupying a large area near the border with Nepal.border town/area/patrol: · We spent the night in, a miserable little border town.border dispute (=arguments and fighting between countries about where a border should be): · Fighting in border disputes has killed at least 25 people.
especially British the border of a country, where people cross from one country to another: · Many of the cars crossing the frontier were stopped and searched.· They settled in Ronco, a picturesque village near the Italian frontier.frontier post (=place where soldiers guard a border): · He was questioned by soldiers at a frontier post.
the official line that marks the edge of an area of land, for example of a farm or a part of a country: · A fence marks the property's boundaries.boundary of: · the easternmost boundary of Greater Manchesterboundary between: · The Mississippi River forms a natural boundary between Iowa and Illinois.
the outside edge around an enclosed area of land such as a military camp or a prison: · Security guards patrol the perimeter.· the perimeter of the airfieldperimeter fence/wall/road etc (=one that goes around the perimeter): · A secure perimeter fence should be at least two metres high.
to move slowly towards or away from something or someone if a vehicle crawls , it moves very slowly, because there is a lot of other traffic on the road, or because something is preventing it from moving at its usual speed: crawl along/down/up etc: · The old Buick barely managed to crawl up the hill.· We sat in the car with the radio on, crawling along behind a long line of other cars.
to move very slowly and carefully, stopping regularly, for example because there is not much space or because you do not want to be noticed: inch towards/forward/across etc: · The car inched forward into the narrow parking space.· We watched the cat inching along the ground, not taking its eyes off the bird for a second.inch your way along/towards/across etc: · I inched my way across the crowded room to where Lou was standing.
to move very slowly and carefully, stopping regularly, for example because you do not want to be noticed or because it would be dangerous to move more quickly: edge along/towards/across etc: · I started edging towards the door, hoping to slip away unnoticed.· He kept an eye on me as he edged across the room.· Billy edged along the ledge, trying not to look down.
if light, a shadow, mist, water etc creeps somewhere, it moves so slowly that you almost do not notice it; if someone creeps somewhere, they move slowly and quietly so that they will not be noticed: creep across/towards/up etc: · Clouds crept across the horizon, just above the line of trees.· Armed men in ski masks crept up on the van and raked it with gunfire.· As the sun began to set, long shadows seemed to creep out of the corners.· We crept down to the deserted library at the other end of the hall, so that we could talk.
to walk slowly and carefully to walk carefully and slowly because the ground is not level or because you have to step over things, lifting your feet higher off the ground than usual: pick your way over/through/across etc: · The boy began to pick his way over the rocks towards the ocean.· I picked my way across the crowded field, towards the main stage.
to walk slowly and carefully, especially sideways, along or through a small space, because you do not have enough room to walk normally: · Mervyn edged sideways through the front door, which seemed to be stuck.edge your way: · Edging my way through the crowd, I eventually managed to get to the bar.
WORD SETSallotment, nounannual, nounarbour, nounaspidistra, nounbackyard, nounbarrow, nounbed, nounbillhook, nounbirdbath, nounblackcurrant, nounbloom, nounbloom, verbblossom, nounblossom, verbbonemeal, nounborder, nounbush, nounbusy Lizzie, nouncamellia, nouncane, nouncarnation, nounchrysanthemum, nounclematis, nounclimber, nouncloche, nouncompost, nouncompost, verbconifer, nounconservatory, nouncornflower, nouncrazy paving, nouncultivate, verbcultivation, nouncutting, noundaffodil, noundahlia, nounedge, verbfertilizer, nounfish meal, nounflower, verbflowerbed, nounflowerpot, nounfoliage, nounforget-me-not, nounfork, nounfork, verbfoxglove, nounframe, noungarden, noungarden, verbgarden centre, noungardener, noungardenia, noungazebo, noungeranium, noungerminate, verbgladiolus, nounglasshouse, noungnome, noungraft, noungraft, verbgrass, noungreenfly, noungreenhouse, noungrowbag, nounGrowbag, nounhardware, nounhardy, adjectivehardy perennial, nounheavy, adjectivehedge, nounheliotrope, nounherbaceous border, nounherbicide, nounhibiscus, nounhoe, nounholly, nounhollyhock, nounhoneysuckle, nounhorticulture, nounhose, nounhosepipe, nounhothouse, nounhouseplant, nounhumus, nounhyacinth, nouninsecticide, nouniris, nounivy, nounjasmine, nounkitchen garden, nounlandscape, verblandscape architect, nounlandscape gardening, nounlawn, nounlawn mower, nounlift, verblilac, nounlily of the valley, nounlop, verblush, adjectivemanicured, adjectivemanure, nounmorning glory, nounmow, verbmower, nounmuck, nounmulch, nounmulch, verbnarcissus, nounnursery, nounnurseryman, nounorangery, nounorganic, adjectiveovergrown, adjectiveox-eye, nounpack, verbparterre, nounpatch, nounpeat, nounpeony, nounpergola, nounpesticide, nounpetunia, nounphlox, nounpink, nounplant, verbplanter, nounplot, nounpoinsettia, nounpot, nounpot, verbpot plant, nounpotted, adjectivepotting shed, nounpropagate, verbpropagator, nounprune, verbrake, nounrake, verbrank, adjectiverockery, nounrock garden, nounrose, nounscion, nounsecateurs, nounseed, verbseedbed, nounset, nounshears, nounsickle, nounsnapdragon, nounsod, nounsoil, nounsow, verbspade, nounsprinkler, nounsweet pea, nounsweet william, nountopdressing, nountopiary, nountrain, verbtransplant, verbtrellis, nountrimmer, nountrowel, nounturf, nounturf, verbuproot, verbvegetable, nounwater butt, nounwatering can, nounweed, verbweedkiller, nounweedy, adjectivewheelbarrow, nounwindow box, nounwisteria, nounyard, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Christine edged her way round the back of the house. The paper has edged ahead of (=been more successful than) its rivals.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES At that time Bosnia was standing on the edge of an abyss. The team seems to have lost its competitive edge recently (=its ability to compete well). The team are relying on Gregg to give them a cutting edge. the broken bottle’s jagged edge His future in the job is balanced on a knife-edge. The economy is poised on the edge of collapse. The stock market is on the edge of a precipice. There was just a touch of sarcasm in her voice. Use a knife with a serrated edge.
Christine edged her way round the back of the house. The paper has edged ahead of (=been more successful than) its rivals. At that time Bosnia was standing on the edge of an abyss.· Keep away from the cliff edge.
The team seems to have lost its competitive edge recently (=its ability to compete well). The team are relying on Gregg to give them a cutting edge. the broken bottle’s jagged edge His future in the job is balanced on a knife-edge. (=they feel nervous or worried about what might happen)· His nerves were on edge as he entered the dark room.
(=to be very close to having a nervous breakdown)· These events left her on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
The economy is poised on the edge of collapse. The stock market is on the edge of a precipice. There was just a touch of sarcasm in her voice. Use a knife with a serrated edge.· It was six o'clock when she reached the outskirts of the town.
(=something that has as many bad results as good ones) Strong leadership is a two-edged sword.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB Strong leadership is a two-edged sword.· Newcastle edged ahead again in the 31st minute when defender Kevin Scott hooked home from close range.
· Gathering up our two young children, we edged away upstream to the cover of some trees.· Tom wanted to edge away from them.· Moderate Republicans in Congress are quietly edging away from Mr Bush.· Once the pack was unleashed again it developed into a two-horse race with Schumacher edging away from Hakkinen.· She couldn't even edge away.
· I edged closer as we talked.· I edged closer to her, and joined in.· But it was edging closer to Trent, always a little closer.
· The Inspector edged down the confined passage into the living room which looked out on to a neat back garden.· Shares of Westinghouse edged down 1 / 4 to 18 1 / 8.· Interest rates have edged down, and more banks are switching to variable interest rates pegged to their prime lending rate.· They came edging down to look it over.
· As he edged forward, Sendei glanced up occasionally at the far end.· We scraped along, edged forward, bumping into one another, feeling our way deeper and deeper into the church.· He edged forward in a trance and, as he did so, the light in the room was switched off.· He edged forward a few steps, using the flashlight as a probe.· At first we could see nothing so crouched on our haunches, edging forward like crabs, feeling the soft woollen carpet.· Cars were edging forward with barely controlled impatience to the steady whiplash accompaniment of their windscreen wipers.· He edged forward, tapped the smoker gently on the shoulder, and punched him.· He edged forward nervously, the rock raised in his hand.
· Wall Street edged up 0.9% and the world index gained 1.2%.· We edged up along a steep, snowy ridge and over the heaven-scraped granite to the top.· As the national minimum wage was edged up, so the position altered.· Load factor edged up to 52. 2 % from 51. 4 %.· Northern Rock closed at 463p on the first day of trading in October 1997 and have edged up marginally to about 513p.· November output edged up a preliminary 0. 1 % from October but tumbled 3. 7 % from November 1994.· Shares in Morgan edged up 1p to 469p last night.· CompUSA edged up 3 / 4 to 33 7 / 8.
NOUN· Pressed against the wall so she couldn't be seen, Marie edged her way, very quietly, towards the pill-box.· By Rockville Centre I was at the first car, casually edging my way t6ward the door.· With shared relief they edged their way back and then at last down the circular stair.· And the other women, sensing trouble, immediately began to edge their way out of the picture.· Nick slipped off his clothes and edged his way into the water.· New terminologies were not difficult to master, and gradually the possibility of perfection began edging its way into my life.· He edged his way to the kitchen door and could see a black profile through the frosted glass.· There were certainly more people than she had expected as they edged their way into the crowded lounge.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► be on the ragged edge► be on a razor/razor’s edge
1move [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] to move gradually with several small movements, or to make something do this: - Amazingly, he accomplished that while dancing on the cutting edge.
- As president of a modeling agency, Page Parkes follows the cutting edge.
- But the cutting edge doesn't come cheap.
- In fact, this white-owned company was often on the cutting edge of new directions.
- Settlement houses and settlement house workers were at the cutting edge of social change.
- The decade's retreat from the cutting edge is certainly in evidence.
- But the potential financial boost is a double-edged sword.
- It's been said before that being well-known is a double-edged sword.
- That can be a double-edged sword, commercially and artistically.
- The competition rules must be regarded as a double-edged sword by businesses.
- This, however, rapidly proved a double-edged weapon.
- Throughout our history, judicial review has been a double-edged sword.
- the leading edge of a plane's wing
- To survive, companies must stay on the leading edge of technology.
- By having an aerodynamic, efficient leading edge.
- One that balances leading edge technological capability with a thorough understanding of your business.
- Part of it went upwards perforating the leading edge of the fin in several places.
- Somehow, he accomplishes it and keeps doing work at the leading edge.
- That so weakened the plane that the fuselage broke in two, just forward of the leading edge of the wings.
- The weaving yarn should always be on the leading edge of the carriage.
- When curtains are to butt together, plan to have a half space at each leading edge.
- When glass fibre tubular spars were standard practice, leading edge distortion would form an otherwise straight line into a swan-neck shape!
- Fans and reviewers enjoyed the raw edge and revelled in the energy and melody thrown out of the guitar crashing mayhem.
- In a week or so weather and growth would have sealed up again all the raw edges that betrayed its use.
- Neaten outer edge of bias strip or turn under raw edge.
- To make a plain seam, place two pieces of fabric together with right sides facing and with raw edges level.
- Trim the raw edges of the fabric with pinking shears.
- Turn in the raw edges of both seam allowances towards each other and match the folded edges.
- Turn under the raw edge of the top seam allowance and tack in place over the trimmed edge.
- With raw edges level, tack bias strip around neck edge with ends on top of facing.
- The play still has a few rough edges, but by next week it should be all right.
- Chesarynth perched on the edge of her seat, fearing a poisoned needle in the cushions.
- From the moment he took the rostrum, Gergiev had his musicians tensely perched on the edge of their seats.
- He was waiting for her answer, not exactly on the edge of his seat, though.
- This dramatic opening had me on the edge of my seat!
- This keeps you on the edge of your seat.
- We're on the edge of our seats.
- The country is teetering on the brink of a massive financial crisis.
- A moment later, realising she was teetering on the brink of self-pity, she brought herself up short.
- As the piece opens, he is in an internment camp, and she is teetering on the edge of madness.
- He says that the country is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.
- He was teetering on the brink of something serious.
- If it were as bad as its critics contend, our society would be teetering on the edge of extinction.
- Now he was teetering on the edge of the parapet.
- We are teetering on the edge of farce.
- Wednesday morning, during an hourlong session with reporters, Forbes appeared to be teetering on the edge of folding his campaign.
- His high-pitched squeaky voice set my teeth on edge.
- At other times their self-evident frustration sets your teeth on edge.
- He w as filing arrow heads, and the sound of the metal on the whetstone set Burun's teeth on edge.
- It was all done so genteelly that it set McAllister's teeth on edge.
- That set our teeth on edge and bring our goose pimples rising like porpoises after mackerel.
Tim was edging away from the crowd. She edged closer to get a better look. He edged her towards the door.edge your way into/round/through etc something Christine edged her way round the back of the house.2put at edge [transitive] to put something on the edge or border of something: The city square was edged by trees.be edged with something The tablecloth is edged with lace.GRAMMAR Edge is usually passive in this meaning.3change [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] to change gradually, especially so as to get better or worseedge up/down Profits have edged up. The paper has edged ahead of (=been more successful than) its rivals.4grass [transitive] to cut the edges of an area of grass so that they are tidy and straightedge somebody ↔ out phrasal verb1to defeat someone by a small amount: Italy edged out France by two points.2to gradually force someone to leave their job or an area of activity