Edgewise
/ˈɛdʒˌwaɪz/noun
In or into a position with the edge foremost; also, in a very small amount or with difficulty.
Did you know?The ending -wise comes from Old English -weġes, meaning “in the manner or direction of,” so the word is built from a physical orientation rather than any mystical “wisdom.”
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
ecg
“edge, blade”
Old English
OE
-weġes
“in the manner of; toward, in the direction of”
Middle English
ME
eggewis
“with the edge foremost; edge-first”
17th Century
English
edgewise
“with the edge toward the front; by a narrow margin”
Modern English
English
edgewise
“with the edge foremost; also, barely or with difficulty”
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