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border definition

bor·der (bôr′dər)

noun

  1. an edge or a part near an edge; margin; side
  2. a dividing line between two countries, states, etc. or the land along it; frontier
  3. a narrow strip, often ornamental, along an edge; fringe; edging
  4. an ornamental strip of flowers or shrubs along the edge of a garden, walk, etc.

Etymology: ME & OFr bordure < border, to border < Frank *bord, margin: see board

transitive verb

  1. to provide with a border
  2. to extend along the edge of; bound

adjective

of, forming, or near a border
border Idioms

border on

or border upon
  1. to be next to or adjoining
  2. to be like; almost be his grief borders on madness

the Borders

the area surrounding the boundary between Scotland and England

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

border Synonyms

border

n.

  1. Edge

    margin, hem, trim; see decoration 2, edge 1, fringe 2, rim, trimming 1.

  2. Boundary

    boundary, frontier, outpost, perimeter; see boundary, edge 1. See syn. study at rim.


border

v.

be adjacent to, adjoin, abut (on); see join 3.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

border Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • cross: Crossing the border into Malawi, we soon reach the shores of its huge lake.

Adjective modifier

  • herbaceous: Up two steps to lawned area with herbaceous border.

Modifies a noun

  • collie: The party was stolen by Christophe who has a new puppy - a two month old, very serious looking border collie called.. .

Noun used with modifier

  • shrub: They are suitable for mixed, herbaceous or shrub borders, wildflower or rock gardens.
border usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

border quotes

Four and twenty Yankees, feeling very dry, Went across the border to get a drink of rye. When the rye was opened, theYanks began to sing, 'God bless America, but God save the King!'

-Anonymous

This is the Night Mail crossing the border Bringing the cheque and the postal order.

-Auden,W(ystan) H(ugh)

The way was long, the wind was cold, The Minstrel was infirm and old; His withered cheek, and tresses grey, Seemed to have known a better day; The harp, his sole remaining joy, Was carried byan orphan boy, The last of all the Bards was he, Who sung of Border chivalry.

-Scott, Sir Walter

border quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"border." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/border>

APA Style

border. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/border

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