Definition of verge

vergenoun

bờ vực

/vɜːdʒ//vɜːrdʒ/

The word "verge" has its origins in Old French, where it was spelled "verj" and pronounced more or less like "burg". It came into the English language around the 14th century, specifically from the Anglo-Norman variant "verge". The Old French word "verj" referred to a pointed tool used to prune fruit trees, similar to a pair of shears. In turn, this tool was named after the verb "verger" meaning "to prune". This verb is derived from the Latin "virgo" meaning "maiden", which originally referred to the buds or unopened flowers that would grow on the tree if it wasn't pruned. The meaning of "verge" in English has shifted over time. Today it is used to describe a border or limit, as well as an instrument used for swearing oaths in legal proceedings. Its relationship to pruning is more tenuous, as its current form in this context is "secateur", a modern French word for pruning shears. Overall, the word "verge" is an excellent example of how language evolves and takes on new meanings over centuries, often with unexpected detours and twists along the way.

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Example:
  • The city is verging on chaos as protests continue to escalate.

    Thành phố đang bên bờ vực hỗn loạn khi các cuộc biểu tình tiếp tục leo thang.

  • The company is on the verge of bankruptcy after years of financial struggles.

    Công ty đang trên bờ vực phá sản sau nhiều năm gặp khó khăn về tài chính.

  • The patient is on the verge of recovering after weeks of treatment.

    Bệnh nhân đang trên đà hồi phục sau nhiều tuần điều trị.

  • The application is almost finished and is about to be released.

    Ứng dụng này gần như đã hoàn thiện và sắp được phát hành.

  • The renovations are on the verge of completion, and the new store will be ready to open soon.

    Việc cải tạo đang gần hoàn tất và cửa hàng mới sẽ sớm sẵn sàng mở cửa.

  • The project is on the brink of failure due to lack of funding.

    Dự án đang bên bờ vực thất bại vì thiếu vốn.

  • The ghost town is a mere shadow of its former self, teetering on the verge of oblivion.

    Thị trấn ma giờ chỉ còn là cái bóng của chính nó trước đây, đang bên bờ vực của sự lãng quên.

  • The negotiations are on the cusp of reaching an agreement.

    Các cuộc đàm phán đang trên bờ vực đạt được thỏa thuận.

  • The technology is on the verge of a major breakthrough.

    Công nghệ này đang trên đà đạt được bước đột phá lớn.

  • The sweater is almost done, and I'm on the brink of finishing it.

    Chiếc áo len gần xong rồi và tôi sắp hoàn thành nó rồi.

Related words and phrases

Phrasal verbs

Idioms

on/to the verge of something/of doing something
very near to the moment when somebody does something or something happens
  • He was on the verge of tears.
  • They are on the verge of signing a new contract.
  • These measures brought the republic to the verge of economic collapse.