border: Meaning and Definition of

bor•der

Pronunciation: (bôr'dur), [key]
— n.
  1. the part or edge of a surface or area that forms its outer boundary.
  2. the line that separates one country, state, province, etc., from another; frontier line: You cannot cross the border without a visa.
  3. the district or region that lies along the boundary line of another.
  4. the frontier of civilization.
    1. the border between the U.S. and Mexico, esp. along the Rio Grande.
    2. (in the British Isles) the region along the boundary between England and Scotland.
  5. brink; verge.
  6. an ornamental strip or design around the edge of a printed page, a drawing, etc.
  7. an ornamental design or piece of ornamental trimming around the edge of a fabric, rug, garment, article of furniture, etc.
  8. a border of tulips along the path.
    1. a long, narrow bed planted with flowers, shrubs, or trees.
    2. a strip of ground in which plants are grown, enclosing an area in a garden or running along the edge of a walk or driveway.
    3. the plants growing in such a strip:a border of tulips along the path.
    1. a narrow curtain or strip of painted canvas hung above the stage, masking the flies and lighting units, and forming the top of the stage set.
    2. Seeborder light.
—v.t.
  1. to make a border around; adorn with a border.
  2. to form a border or boundary to.
  3. to lie on the border of; adjoin.
—v.i.
  1. to form or constitute a border; be next to: California borders on the Pacific Ocean.
  2. to approach closely in character; verge: The situation borders on tragedy.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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