Dictionary
1borderline
adjective bor·der·line \-ˌlīn\
: having some but not all characteristics of something
: not quite as severe as what is usual or expected
: existing at or near a border
Full Definition of BORDERLINE
1
a : being in an intermediate position or state : not fully classifiable as one thing or its opposite <a borderline state between waking and sleeping> b : not quite up to, typical of, or as severe as what is usual, standard, or expected <borderline intelligence> <borderline hypertension> c : characterized by psychological instability in several areas (as interpersonal relations, behavior, and identity) but only with brief or no psychotic episodes <a borderline personality disorder>
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First Known Use of BORDERLINE
1907
Rhymes with BORDERLINE
aerodyne, agate line, alkaline, androgyne, anodyne, anticline, Apennine, aquiline, argentine, asinine, auld lang syne, Aventine, Ballantyne, balloon vine, battle line, bottom-line, Byzantine, calamine, calcimine, Caroline, catarrhine, Catiline, celandine, centerline, cisalpine, claymore mine, clementine, colubrine, columbine, Columbine, concubine, conga line, contour line, Coppermine, coralline, countermine, countersign, credit line, crystalline, cytokine, dessert wine, disincline, dollar sign, down-the-line, draw the line, eglantine, endocrine, equal sign, Esquiline, exocrine, fescennine, finish line, firing line, Florentine, gas turbine, genuine, gregarine, infantine, interline, intertwine, iodine, Johannine, knotty pine, leonine, Levantine, Liechtenstein, limber pine, lubber line, minus sign, monkeyshine, morning line, muscadine, on deadline, on the line, opaline, palatine, Palatine, Palestine, party line, passerine, picket line, porcupine, psittacine, realign, redefine, redesign, riverine, saccharine, sapphirine, saturnine, second-line, serpentine, service line, sibylline, Siegfried line, sixty-nine, sounding line, subalpine, sparkling wine, static line, steam turbine, story line, table wine, Theatine, three-point line, timberline, toe the line, transalpine, Tridentine, turnverein, turpentine, underline, undermine, Ursuline, uterine, valentine, vespertine, viperine, vulturine, waterline, wind turbine, worry line
2borderline
adverb
: almost or nearly
Full Definition of BORDERLINE
See borderline defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BORDERLINE
1925
BORDERLINE Defined for Kids
borderline
adjective bor·der·line \ˈbȯr-dər-ˌlīn\
Definition of BORDERLINE for Kids
: not quite average, standard, or normal <She's a borderline student for advanced math.>
Medical Dictionary
borderline
adjective bor·der·line \-ˌlīn\
Medical Definition of BORDERLINE
1
: being in an intermediate position or state : not fully classifiable as one thing or its opposite; especially : not quite up to what is usual, standard, or expected <borderline intelligence>
2
: exhibiting typical but not altogether conclusive symptoms <a borderline diabetic>
3
: of, relating to, being, or exhibiting a behavior pattern typical or suggestive of borderline personality disorder <a borderline patient> <borderline behavior>
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