wedge
wedge Lexical Profile
wedge Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A piece of wood, metal, or other material having one thick end and tapering to a thin edge, that is driven between two objects or parts of an object to secure or separate them.
"He used a wooden wedge to keep the heavy door propped open."
A portion of food, such as cheese, fruit, or pie, that is cut into a triangular shape tapering to a thin edge.
"She served the iced tea with a fresh wedge of lemon on the rim of the glass."
A type of golf club with a sharply angled face, designed to hit the ball high into the air over short distances.
"The golfer selected a pitching wedge to lift the ball out of the deep sand trap."
• verb
To force or pack something tightly into a narrow space.
"She wedged her suitcase into the crowded overhead compartment."
To secure, fix, or hold something in place using a wedge.
"He wedged the rattling window frame with a folded piece of cardboard."
To split or force apart by driving a wedge into.
"The lumberjack wedged the large timber apart to make smaller pieces of firewood."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often used metaphorically as a noun in the phrase 'drive a wedge', meaning to cause division or disruption between people or factions.
• Rhymes for wedge
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'wegge', derived from Old English 'wecg' (wedge, mass of metal). Of Germanic origin, related to Dutch 'wig' and Old Norse 'veggr'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.