EDGEWISE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does edgewise mean? 

• EDGEWISE (adverb)
  The adverb EDGEWISE has 2 senses:

1. with the edge forward or on, by, or toward the edge

2. as if by an edge; barely

  Familiarity information: EDGEWISE used as an adverb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EDGEWISE (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

With the edge forward or on, by, or toward the edge

Synonyms:

edgeways; edgewise

Context example:

held it edgewise

Sense 2

Meaning:

As if by an edge; barely

Synonyms:

edgeways; edgewise

Context example:

I could not get a word in edgewise

 Context examples 

The early sun was striking edgewise on its gables and lattice-windows, touching them with gold; and some beams of its old peace seemed to touch my heart.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

’E came over ’ere from voreign parts, and ’e was so broad ’e ’ad to come edgewise through the doors. ’E ’ad so, upon my davy! ’E was that strong that wherever ’e ’it the bone had got to go; and when ’e’d cracked a jaw or two it looked as though nothing in the country could stan’ against him.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)