Definition of wedge

The origin of the word "wedge" can be traced back to Old English, specifically to the West Saxon dialect. In Old English, the word was "weґð," which literally meant "that which is pointed at the end" or "pointed piece." This description is a direct reference to the shape of the object in question, which was a pointed piece used to hold objects together or keep them apart. Over time, the meaning and use of the word "wedge" evolved. In Middle English, which emerged in the 12th century, the word became "wedge" and began to be used to describe other pointed objects, such as wedges used for splitting wood or stones. By the 16th century, the word "wedge" had also started to be used in a figurative sense, such as "to drive a wedge between two people" to create a rift or division. The noun "wedge" comes from the Old English verb "wēgðan," meaning "to fit closely together or fasten with wedges." Its basic meaning, however, has always centered on the form of an object with a pointed end. Today, the word "wedge" is widely used in everyday language, both literally and figuratively. Literal uses include the wooden or plastic wedges used for holding doors open or for stabilizing furniture, as well as the metal wedges used in automotive engines and machinery. Figurative uses include phrases like "a wedge issue" to describe a contentious issue that divides opinions, or "to wedge oneself into a conversation" to mean joining a discussion that has already begun. Overall, the word "wedge" continues to be an important and versatile part of the English language.