1. a. A thin, sharpened side, as of the blade of a cutting instrument. b. The degree of sharpness of a cutting blade. c. A penetrating, incisive quality: "His simplicity sets off the satire, and gives it a finer edge" (William Hazlitt).

2. Keenness, as of desire or enjoyment; zest: The brisk walk gave an edge to my appetite.

3. a. The line of intersection of two surfaces: the edge of a brick; the rounded edges of the table. b. A rim or brink: the edge of a cliff.

4. a. The area or part away from the middle; an extremity: lifted the edge of the carpet. b. A dividing line; a border: a house on the edge of town. See synonyms at border. c. A point of transition: on the edge of war.

5. A margin of superiority; an advantage: a slight edge over the opposition. See synonyms at advantage.

1. a. To give an edge to (a blade); sharpen. b. Sports. To tilt (a ski or both skis) in such a way that an edge or both edges bite into the snow.

2. a. To put a border or edge on: edged the quilt with fanciful embroidery. b. To act as or be an edge of: flowers that edged the garden path.

3. To advance or push slightly or gradually: The dog edged the ball toward the child with its nose.

4. To trim or shape the edge of: edge a lawn.

1. In a precarious position.

2. In a state of keen excitement, as from danger or risk: "the excitement of combat, of living on the edge" (Nelson DeMille).