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verge1 definition

verge (vʉrj)

noun

    1. the edge, brink, or margin (of something): also used figuratively the verge of the forest, on the verge of hysteria
    2. Brit. a grassy border, as along a road
    1. an enclosing line or border; boundary, esp. of something more or less circular
    2. the area so enclosed
  3. the edge of the tiling that projects over a gable
  4. the spindle of a balance wheel in a clock with an old-style vertical escapement
  5. a rod or staff symbolic of an office, as that carried before a church official in processions
  6. Eng. Feudal Law a rod held in the hand by a feudal tenant as he swore fealty to his lord

Etymology: ME < OFr, rod, wand, stick, yard, hoop < L virga, twig, rod, wand < IE *wizga- < base *wei-, to bend, twist > wire, whisk

intransitive verb verged, verging verg′·ing

to be on or as if on the verge, edge, brink, or border: usually with on or upon streets verging on the slum area, talk that verges on the ridiculous
verge2 definition

verge (vʉrj)

intransitive verb verged, verging verg′·ing

  1. to tend or incline (to or toward)
  2. to be in the process of change or transition into something else; pass gradually (into) dawn verging into daylight

Etymology: L vergere, to bend, turn < IE *werg- < base *wer-, to turn, bend > warp, worm

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