submarginal

American  

[suhb-mahr-juh-nl] / sʌbˈmɑr dʒə nl /

adjective

1. Biology. near the margin.

2. below the margin.

3. not worth cultivating, as land; less than satisfactory; unproductive.

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submarginal British  

/ sʌbˈmɑːdʒɪnəl /

adjective

1. below the minimum requirements

2. situated close to the margin of an organ or part

3. (of land) infertile and unprofitable for cultivation

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Other Word Forms

• submarginally adverb

Etymology

Origin of submarginal

First recorded in 1820–30; sub- + marginal

Example Sentences

They and the coyotes lived clever, despairing, submarginal lives.

From Literature

Sori on the upper part of the veins, distinct, or mostly forming a confluent submarginal band of sporangia.

From Project Gutenberg

Sori roundish, marginal or submarginal.

From Project Gutenberg

Submarginal, sub-mar′ji-nal, adj. situated near the margin.

From Project Gutenberg

Since in its final retreat the margin of the ice must have stood at all points once covered by it, these submarginal accumulations of drift must have been made over the whole country once covered by the ice.

From Project Gutenberg