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marginal

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The definition of marginal is something situated on the margin, something that is only kind-of important, or something that is only a small change.

(adjective)

A tiny increase in taxes of less than one percent is an example of a marginal increase in taxes.

See marginal in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

written or printed in the margin of a page or sheet
of or constituting a margin
at, on, or close to the margin or border
1. close to a margin or limit, esp. a lower limit: a marginal standard of living
2. limited; minimal
Econ.
1. on the border between being profitable and nonprofitable: a marginal business, marginal land
2. of or from goods produced and sold at margin: marginal costs, marginal profits

Origin: ML marginalis

Related Forms:

marginality noun
marginally adverb

See marginal in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Of, relating to, located at, or constituting a margin, a border, or an edge: the marginal strip of beach; a marginal issue that had no bearing on the election results.
Being adjacent geographically: states marginal to Canada.
Written or printed in the margin of a book: marginal notes.
Barely within a lower standard or limit of quality: marginal writing ability; eked out a marginal existence.
Economics
a. Having to do with enterprises that produce goods or are capable of producing goods at a rate that barely covers production costs.
b. Relating to commodities thus manufactured and sold.
Psychology Relating to or located at the fringe of consciousness.

noun

One that is considered to be at a lower or outer limit, as of social acceptability: “is fascinated by marginals, by people who live on the edge of society” (Dan Yakir).

Related Forms: