To be on edge

Edge Edge ([e^]j), n. [OE. eg, egge, AS. ecg; akin to OHG. ekka, G. ecke, Icel. & Sw. egg, Dan. eg, and to L. acies, Gr. 'akh` point, Skr. a[,c]ri edge. [root]1. Cf. {Egg}, v. t., {Eager}, {Ear} spike of corn, {Acute}.] 1. The thin cutting side of the blade of an instrument; as, the edge of an ax, knife, sword, or scythe. Hence, (figuratively), that which cuts as an edge does, or wounds deeply, etc. [1913 Webster]

He which hath the sharp sword with two edges. --Rev. ii. 12. [1913 Webster]

Slander, Whose edge is sharper than the sword. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. Any sharp terminating border; a margin; a brink; extreme verge; as, the edge of a table, a precipice. [1913 Webster]

Upon the edge of yonder coppice. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

In worst extremes, and on the perilous edge Of battle. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Pursue even to the very edge of destruction. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

3. Sharpness; readiness or fitness to cut; keenness; intenseness of desire. [1913 Webster]

The full edge of our indignation. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

Death and persecution lose all the ill that they can have, if we do not set an edge upon them by our fears and by our vices. --Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster]

4. The border or part adjacent to the line of division; the beginning or early part; as, in the edge of evening. ``On the edge of winter.'' --Milton. [1913 Webster]

{Edge joint} (Carp.), a joint formed by two edges making a corner.

{Edge mill}, a crushing or grinding mill in which stones roll around on their edges, on a level circular bed; -- used for ore, and as an oil mill. Called also {Chilian mill}.

{Edge molding} (Arch.), a molding whose section is made up of two curves meeting in an angle.

{Edge plane}. (a) (Carp.) A plane for edging boards. (b) (Shoemaking) A plane for edging soles.

{Edge play}, a kind of swordplay in which backswords or cutlasses are used, and the edge, rather than the point, is employed.

{Edge rail}. (Railroad) (a) A rail set on edge; -- applied to a rail of more depth than width. (b) A guard rail by the side of the main rail at a switch. --Knight.

{Edge railway}, a railway having the rails set on edge.

{Edge stone}, a curbstone.

{Edge tool}. (a) Any tool or instrument having a sharp edge intended for cutting. (b) A tool for forming or dressing an edge; an edging tool.

{To be on edge}, (a) to be eager, impatient, or anxious. (b) to be irritable or nervous.

{on edge}, (a) See {to be on edge}. (b) See {to set the teeth on edge}.

{To set the teeth on edge}, (a) to cause a disagreeable tingling sensation in the teeth, as by bringing acids into contact with them. [archaic] --Bacon. (b) to produce a disagreeable or unpleasant sensation; to annoy or repel; -- often used of sounds; as, the screeching of of the subway train wheels sets my teeth on edge. [1913 Webster +PJC]