Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EDGE, n. [Sax. ecg; Dan. eg; Sw. egg; G. ecke, ege; L. acies, acus; Fr. aigu, whence aiguille, a needle; Gr. ακη; W. awç, awg, edge.]

1. In a general sense, the extreme border or point of any thing; as, the edge of the table; the edge of a book; the edge of cloth. It coincides nearly with border, brink, margin. It is particularly applied to the sharp border, the thin cutting extremity of an instrument, as the edge of an ax, razor, knife or scythe; also, to the point of an instrument, as the edge of a sword.
2. Figuratively, that which cuts or penetrates; that which wounds or injures; as, the edge of slander. Shak.
3. A narrow part rising from a broader. Some harrow their ground over, and then plow it upon an edge. Mortimer.
4. Sharpness of mind or appetite; keenness; intenseness or desire; fitness for action or operation; as, the edge of appetite or hunger. Silence and solitude set an edge on the genius. Dryden.
5. Keenness; sharpness; acrimony. Abate the edge of traitors. Shak. To set the teeth on edge, to cause a tingling or grating sensation in the teeth. Bacon.