Emily Dickinson Lexicon

VERGE, n. verj. [Fr.; It. verga, L. rirga, a rod, that is, shoot.]

1. A rod, or something in the form of a rod or staff, as an emblem of authority; the mace of a dean. Swift.
2. The stick or wand with which persons are admitted tenants, by holding it in the hand, and swearing fealty to the lord. On this account, such tenants are called tenants the verge. Cyc. England.
3. In law, the compass or extent of the king's court, with which is bounded the jurisdiction of the lord steward of the king's household; so called from the verge or staff whit the marshal hears. Com
4. The extreme side or end of any thing which has some extent of length; the brink; edge; border; margin. [This seems to be immediately connected with the vergo.]
5. Among gardeners, the edge or outside of a border; als a slip of grass adjoining to gravel-walks, and dividing the from the borders in the parterre-garden.
6. A part of time-piece.