verge
1
[ vurj ]
/ vɜrdʒ /
noun
verb (used without object), verged, verg·ing.
to be on the edge or margin; border: Our property verges on theirs.
to come close to or be in transition to some state, quality, etc. (usually followed by on): a statesman who verged on greatness; a situation that verged on disaster.
verb (used with object), verged, verg·ing.
to serve as the verge or boundary of: a high hedge verging the yard.
Origin of verge
1
1350–1400; late Middle English: shaft, column, rod (hence boundary or jurisdiction symbolized by a steward's rod), Middle English: penis < Middle French: rod < Latin
virga
Words nearby verge
verdurous,
verecund,
vereeniging,
verein,
vereshchagin,
verge,
verge on,
vergeboard,
vergence,
verger,
vergil
British Dictionary definitions for verge on (1 of 2)
verge
1
/ (vɜːdʒ) /
noun
verb
(intr foll by on)
to be near (to)
to verge on chaos
(when intr, sometimes foll by on)
to serve as the edge of (something)
this narrow strip verges the road
Word Origin for verge
C15: from Old French, from Latin
virga rod
British Dictionary definitions for verge on (2 of 2)
verge
2
/ (vɜːdʒ) /
verb
(intr; foll by to or towards)
to move or incline in a certain direction
Word Origin for verge
C17: from Latin
vergere
Medical definitions for verge on
verge
[ vûrj ]
n.
The extreme edge or margin; a border.
Idioms and Phrases with verge on (1 of 2)
verge on
Approach, come close to, as in Her ability verges on genius. [Early 1800s]
Be on the edge or border of, as in Our property verges on conservation land. [Late 1700s]
Idioms and Phrases with verge on (2 of 2)
verge