Definition of margin

The word "margin" has its origins in the Latin word "margīnī," which means " Edge" or "Border." This word was used to describe the outer edge of a manuscript page or book, where the text would often end, leaving a blank space or margin. In the medieval era, when manuscripts were handwritten and published in limited quantities, these margins served multiple purposes. They provided ample space for the scribe to make annotations, revisions, or additions to the text. They also helped to separate one book or work from another, making it easier to locate and shelve them in a library. As printed texts became more common in the 15th and 16th centuries, the meaning of the word "margin" evolved to refer to the space around the printed text on a page, where notes, bibliographic information, and other details could be added. This helped to differentiate the text itself from external sources of information and allowed readers to easily reference these sources as they read. Today, the word "margin" continues to be used in a variety of contexts, including financial and mathematical applications, where the term refers to the difference between a security's or value's price and itsformer price or its yield. Regardless of its application, the margin continues to hold the same meaning - a boundary, a limit, or a place where something of value begins or ends.