margin

noun

1. a border, edge, or brink: the margin of the pond
2. the blank space around the printed or written area on a page or sheet
3. a limit to what is desirable or possible
4. 1. an amount of money, supplies, etc. reserved or allowed beyond what is needed; extra amount for contingencies or emergencies
   2. provision for increase, addition, or advance
5. the amount by which something is higher or lower: to win by a wide margin
6. Business, Finance
   1. the difference between the cost and the selling price of goods produced, sold, etc.
   2. money or collateral deposited with a broker or other lender, either to meet legal requirements or to insure against loss on contracts, as to buy stocks or commodities which have been financed with funds provided by the lender
   3. a customer's equity if his or her account is closed at the prevailing prices
   4. the difference between the face value of a loan and the market value of the collateral put up to secure it
7. Econ. the minimum return, below which activities are not profitable enough to be continued
8. Psychol. the fringe of consciousness

transitive verb

1. to provide with a margin or border; be a margin to; border
2. to enter, place, or summarize in the margin of a page or sheet
3. Business, Finance
   1. ☆ to deposit a margin upon
   2. to hold by depositing or adding to a margin upon
   3. to purchase (securities) on margin