Etymology Map
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Verge

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an edge or border

Where does the word "verge" come from? It comes from Latin virga, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
virga
Latin · ancient
"rod, stick"
a staff of office
2
Stage 2 of 3
verge
Old French · medieval
"rod, boundary"
the area under a steward's rod of authority
3
Stage 3 of 3
verge
English · 1400s
"rod; boundary"
'on the verge of' dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Verge’s story begins in Latin: virga meant “rod, stick.” A staff of office. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as verge. The area under a steward's rod of authority. It reached English by 1400s as verge. 'on the verge of' dates from the 1600s. Today, verge means an edge or border.