verge

/vɜːd͡ʒ/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: verges · verging · verged

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A rod or staff of office, e.g. of a verger.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A rod or staff of office, e.g. of a verger. — The stick or wand with which persons were formerly admitted tenants, by holding it in the hand and swearing fealty to the lord. Such tenants were called tenants by the verge.

NounRegister: UK

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To be or come very close; to border; to approach.

Verb

Examples

Eating blowfish verges on insanity.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To bend or incline; to tend downward; to slope.

Verb

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “verge” mean?

A rod or staff of office, e.g. of a verger.

Is “verge” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.