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wedge definition

wedge (wej)

noun

  1. a piece of hard material, as wood or metal, tapering from a thick back to a thin edge that can be driven or forced into a narrow opening, as to split wood, lift a weight, or reinforce a structure
  2. anything shaped like a wedge or having a wedge-shaped part [a wedge of pie]; specif.,
    1. a wedge-shaped stroke in cuneiform writing
    2. a wedge-shaped tactical formation, as of troops
    3. Golf an iron with a specially weighted head and the face angled to give the most loft, as for shots out of bunkers
  3. any action or procedure that serves to open the way for a gradual change, disruption, intrusion, etc.

Etymology: ME wegge < OE wecg, akin to Ger dial. weck < IE *wogwhyo-, wedge, akin to *wogwhni-s, plowshare > L vomis, OHG waganso

transitive verb wedged, wedging wedg′·ing

  1. to split or force apart with or as with a wedge
  2. to fix solidly in place by driving a wedge or wedges under, beside, etc.
  3. to force or pack (in)
  4. to force or crowd together in a narrow space

intransitive verb

to push or be forced as or like a wedge

Related Forms:

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

Alternate definitions:

finance wedge definition - finance

idioms wedge idiom

wedge Synonyms

wedge

n.

spearhead, prong, entering wedge, flying column, mobile force, drive; see also machine 1, tool 1.

Devices using the principles of the wedge include: keystone, chock, shim, quoin, cleat, cotter.


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.

wedge Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • drive: Their plan was to split the rebels in two by driving a wedge between them.

Adjective modifier

  • lemon: Serve warm with the butter smeared over the top and lemon wedges served on the side.

Modifies a noun

  • osteotomy: Leave well alone but can do shortening of distal ulna and radius closing wedge osteotomy.

Noun used with modifier

  • lob: This superb ' Maxi Spin ' lob wedge is perfect for using around the greens.

Preposition: of

  • lime: Add a freshly cut wedge of lime to garnish.
wedge 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.

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MLA Style

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

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

APA Style

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

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

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