submarginal

[ suhb-mahr-juh-nl ]

adjective

1. Biology. near the margin.
2. below the margin.
3. not worth cultivating, as land; less than satisfactory; unproductive.

submarginal

/ 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

Derived Forms

• subˈmarginally, adverb

Other Words From

• sub·margin·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of submarginal¹

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