marginal
UK[ˈmɑːdʒɪnəl]US[ˈmɑːrdʒɪnəl]
adj
very small in amount or effect
adj
not part of a main or important group or situation
adj
written or printed in the margin of a page
Morpheme Breakdown
margin
al
margin
edge
al
adjective suffix
Etymology
the word 'marginal' originates from the latin noun 'margo', meaning 'edge' or 'border'. the adjective-forming suffix '-alis' was added to create 'marginalis', signifying 'pertaining to the edge'. this literal sense was used in medieval manuscripts to describe notes written in the margins of a page. over time, the meaning extended metaphorically to describe anything situated at the edge of importance, activity, or size, leading to its modern senses of being small, insignificant, or peripheral.
Analysis
Structure: margin (edge) + al (adjective suffix)
margin (from latin 'margo, marginis' meaning edge, border; functions as the core noun root). al (from latin '-alis', an adjective-forming suffix; functions as a derivational suffix meaning 'pertaining to').
Examples
the difference in cost is marginal.
the issue is of marginal importance to most voters.
she made some marginal notes in the textbook.