verge

I

[[t]vɜrdʒ[/t]]

n. v. verged, verg•ing

1) the limit beyond which something begins or occurs; brink:

on the verge of a nervous breakdown[/ex]

2) the edge or margin of something:

the verge of a desert[/ex]

3) a limiting belt, strip, or border of something

4) brit. a strip of turf bordering a walk or roadway

5) archit. the part of a sloping roof that projects beyond the gable wall

6) rel a staff, esp. one carried as an emblem of authority or symbol of office of a bishop, dean, etc

7) hor a palletlike lever formerly used in inexpensive pendulum clocks

8) why a wand held in the hand of a feudal tenant while swearing fealty to a lord

9) to be on the verge or margin; border:

Our property verges on theirs[/ex]

10) to come close to or approach some state, quality, etc.:

a scientific mind verging on genius[/ex]

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Etymology: 1350–1400; shaft, column, rod (hence jurisdiction symbolized by a steward's rod), ME: penis < MF: rod < L virga II

verge

[[t]vɜrdʒ[/t]] v. i. verged, verg•ing

1) to incline; tend (usu. fol. by to or toward):

The economy verges toward inflation[/ex]

2) to slope or sink

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Etymology: 1600–10; < L vergere to turn, bend, be inclined