MW→jerry-built

jerry-built

EnglishMerriam-Webster Dictionary

entence:'>//With carefully finessed edges in delicate swoop and wave designs, hairstyles as simple as a high ponytail or sleek bob can quickly be transformed into a work of art … — Devon Abelman —usually singular when used before another noun //edge styling

on edge
anxious, nervous

verb

edged; edging

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb
to give an edge to
to be on an edge of //trees edging the lake
to move or force gradually //edged him off the road
to incline (a ski) sideways so that one edge cuts into the snow
to defeat by a small margin —often used with out //edged out her opponent
intransitive verb
to advance by short moves

Other Words

Noun

edgeless adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

acerbity acidity acidness acridity acridness acrimoniousness acrimony acuteness asperity bite bitterness harshness keenness poignance poignancy pungency roughness sharpness tartness

Synonyms: Verb

grind hone sharpen stone strop whet

Antonyms: Noun

mildness softness

Antonyms: Verb

blunt dull

Examples

Noun

//They peered over the edge of the roof.
//The fabric was frayed at the edge.
//He made us all nervous by standing so close to the edge of the cliff.
//She sat on the edge of the counter, swinging her legs.
//the edge of an ax
//His voice had a sarcastic edge.
//These amendments will blunt the edge of the legislation.

Verb

//Edge the sleeve with lace.
//She edged away from him.
//Gasoline prices have been edging upward.
//I edged my chair closer to the table.

First Known Use

Noun

before 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology

Noun

Middle English egge, going back to Old English ecg "cutting side of a blade, border," going back to Germanic *agjō "cutting side of a blade" (whence also Old Frisian eg "cutting side of a blade, sword," Old Saxon eggia, Old High German egga, ekka "cutting side of a blade, border, point, corner," Old Norse egg "cutting side of a blade"), feminine noun derivative from Indo-European *h₂eḱ- "sharp, pointed," whence also Latin aciēs "sharp part of a weapon"

NOTE: The base *h₂eḱ- "sharp, pointed" was productive of a large number of suffixed derivatives in the Indo-European daughter languages. Latin had a verbal base deriving from h₂eḱ-eh₁- "to be sharp" (see acetic acid, acid entry 2) and a presumed adjectival stem *acū- "sharp" (see acute). An apparently isolated derivative is Greek akmḗ "highest point" (see acme). For the derivative *h₂eḱ-r-/h₂oḱ-r-, with outcomes in Greek, Latin, and other languages, see acro-, mediocre. See also awn, ear entry 2.

Verb

Middle English eggen "to set (the teeth) on edge," derivative of egge edge entry 1

edge

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

to make sharp or sharper //if you edge the tip of that stick, it should be a fine skewer for roasting marshmallows
Synonyms

grind hone sharpen stone strop whet
Related Words

file
Near Antonyms

buff burnish gloss polish round smooth
Antonyms

blunt dull
to serve as a border for //pavement edging the flower bed
Synonyms

border bound frame fringe margin rim skirt
Related Words

hem trim
circumscribe define delineate demarcate outline silhouette sketch trace
circle compass encircle enclose (also inclose) environ girdle girth loop ring round surround wall
check confine control curb limit restrain restrict

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

a harsh or sharp quality //the teacher's voice had a sarcastic edge as she welcomed the tardy student to class