Marginal
/ˈmɑːr.dʒɪ.nəl/noun
Located at or forming the edge of something; not central or important.
Did you know?The word comes from Latin *margo*, meaning “edge” or “border,” the same root behind words like margin and marge — a reminder that what’s “outside” the center was once a place of real physical boundary, not metaphor.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mereg-
“edge, boundary”
Latin
Latin
margo, marginis
“edge, border, brink”
Late Latin
Latin
marginalis
“of or belonging to the edge”
Old French
Old French
marginal
“pertaining to a margin or border”
14th Century
English
marginal
“pertaining to a margin or border; later, secondary or not central”
Modern English
English
marginal
“at or near the edge; of minor importance or influence”