fringe
UK: frɪndʒ | US: frɪndʒ
n. 1. A decorative border of threads left loose or formed into tassels or twists.
n. 2. The outer edge or margin of an area, group, or sphere of activity.
adj. 3. Unconventional or peripheral to a mainstream field (e.g., fringe science).
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fringe = fring<edge, border> + e<noun suffix>
- fring: Derived from Old French frenge (later frange), meaning "edge" or "border," itself from Latin fimbria (fringe, border).
- e: A common noun suffix in English with no standalone meaning.
Etymology Origin:
The word fringe traces back to Latin fimbria, which referred to the frayed edge of fabric. Through Old French frenge, it entered Middle English as frenge or fringe, retaining its core idea of a decorative or marginal edge. Over time, it expanded metaphorically to describe geographical boundaries (the fringe of the forest) and abstract peripheries (fringe ideas). The modern sense of "unconventional" (e.g., fringe theater) emerged in the 19th century, reflecting things on the edges of societal or academic norms.
She sewed colorful beads onto the fringe of her scarf.
The house stood on the fringe of the village, near the woods.
His theories were dismissed as fringe science by mainstream researchers.
The festival showcases fringe artists who challenge traditional art forms.
A fringe of trees lined the outskirts of the desert.