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

Whenever, at any stage in its history, the edge of the ice remained essentially constant in position for a long period of time, the corresponding submarginal accumulation of drift was great, and when the ice melted, the former site of the stationary edge would be marked by a broad ridge or belt of drift, thicker than that on either side.

From Project Gutenberg