single-edged
UK[ˈsɪŋɡl̩ ˌedʒd]US[ˈsɪŋɡl̩ ˌedʒd]
adj
(of a blade or weapon) having only one sharpened side.
adj
(figurative) having only one effective aspect or application; not double-edged.
Morpheme Breakdown
single
edged
single
one
edged
having a sharp side
Etymology
The compound adjective 'single-edged' is a transparent combination of two native English elements. 'Single' traces back to Latin singulus, meaning one or individual, which entered English via Old French. 'Edged' derives from the Old English noun ecg, meaning the sharp side of a blade or a border. The literal construction, "having only one sharp side," directly describes tools like the katana or certain knives. This concrete meaning later gave rise to a figurative sense, describing arguments or situations that are effective or applicable in only one direction, unlike a 'double-edged' sword which cuts both ways.
Analysis
Structure: single (one) + edged (having a sharp side)
- single: From Latin singulus (one, individual). Functional role: Modifying root, indicating the number one.
- edged: From Old English ecg (edge, blade). Functional role: Root, denoting the presence of a sharp side or border.
Examples
A traditional Japanese katana is a single-edged sword.
The argument he presented was single-edged, aimed solely at discrediting the proposal without offering an alternative.
The utility knife uses a single-edged blade for precision cutting.