English Explanatory Dictionary

margin

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The edge of the paper, typically left blank when printing but sometimes used for annotations etc.
  2. The edge or border of any flat surface.
  3. The edge defining inclusion in or exclusion from a set or group.
  4. A difference or ratio between results, characteristics, scores.
  5. A permissible difference; allowing some freedom to move within limits.
  6. The yield or profit; the selling price minus the cost of production.
  7. Collateral security deposited with a broker, to compensate the broker in the event of loss in the speculative buying and selling of stocks, commodities, etc.
  8. That which is ancillary; periphery.
  9. The shape of the edge of a leaf.
verb
  1. To add a margin to.
  2. To enter (notes etc.) into the margin.
  3. To trade (securities etc.) on margin (collateral).

Pronunciation

/ˈmɑː.d͡ʒɪn/ /ˈmɑɹ.d͡ʒɪn/ en-us-margin.ogg /ˈmaː.d͡ʒɪn/

Word forms

margin margins margining margined

Etymology

From Middle English margyn, from Latin marginem (possibly via Old French margin), accusative of margō (“edge, brink, border, margin”). Doublet of marge and margo.

Related words

admarginate marginal marginalia marginalization marginalize

Derived words

admarginate by a wide margin extensive margin gross margin intensive margin intermargin maintenance margin marginable margin account margin alert margin call margin-call margin debt marginirostral marginless margin of error margin of safety marginotomy margin shell margin trading net margin overmargin palaeomargin paleomargin profit margin remargin retromargin safety margin solvency margin submargin undermargin
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