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Edge

1. To move sideways; to move gradually; as, edge along this way.

2. To sail close to the wind. I must edge up on a point of wind. (Dryden) to edge away or off, to advance gradually, but not directly, toward it.

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. He which hath the sharp sword with two edges. (rev. Ii. 12) Slander, Whose edge is sharper than the sword. (Shak)

2. Any sharp terminating border; a margin; a brink; extreme verge; as, the edge of a table, a precipice. Upon the edge of yonder coppice. (Shak) In worst extremes, and on the perilous edge Of battle. (Milton) Pursue even to the very edge of destruction. (Sir W. Scott)

3. Sharpness; readiness of fitness to cut; keenness; intenseness of desire. The full edge of our indignation. (Sir W. Scott) 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)

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.

(Science: medicine) edge joint a rail set on edge; applied to a rail of more depth than width. A guard rail by the side of the main rail at a switch. Edge railway, a railway having the rails set on edge. Edge stone, a curbst 6dd one. Edge tool. Any tool instrument having a sharp edge intended for cutting. A tool for forming or dressing an edge; an edging tool. To be on edge, to be eager, impatient, or anxious. To set the teeth on edge, to cause a disagreeable tingling sensation in the teeth, as by bringing acids into contact with them.

Origin: oe. Eg, egge, as. Ecg; akin to OHG. Ekka, g. Ecke, Icel. & Sw. Egg, dan. Eg, and to L. Acies, gr. Point, Skr. Ari edge. Cf. Egg, eager, ear spike of corn, acute.