margin
UK: ˈmɑːdʒɪn | US: ˈmɑːrdʒɪn
n. 1. the edge or border of something
n. 2. an amount by which something is won or falls short
n. 3. a blank space surrounding text on a page
The word "margin" traces back to Latin margo (genitive marginis), meaning "edge" or "border." It entered Middle English via Old French marge, retaining its core sense of a boundary or periphery. The suffix -in (from Latin -inem) solidifies its noun form. Historically, margins were literal edges (e.g., of pages or land), but the term expanded metaphorically to describe degrees of difference (e.g., winning "by a narrow margin").
She wrote notes in the margin of her textbook.
The team won by a margin of two points.
The garden was planted at the margin of the forest.
Adjust the page margins to fit more text.
His success hung by a razor-thin margin.