wedge´like´

wedge «wehj», noun, verb, wedged, wedg|ing.

–n.

1. a piece of wood or metal, thick at one end and tapering to a thin edge at the other, used especially in splitting and separating. It is one of the simple machines.

2. a) something shaped like a wedge: »

a wedge of cheese or pie. Wild geese fly in a wedge.

b) a cuneiform stroke or character of this shape.

3. Figurative. something used like a wedge: »

to drive a wedge of suspicion between friends, to drive a wedge of tanks through the enemy line.

4. Meteorology. a long, narrow area of high pressure between two cyclonic systems.

5. a golf club used for high, short shots, especially lofting the ball out of traps and heavy grass: »

[She] clinched the match with a 100-foot wedge shot (New York Times).

6. a woman's short haircut that falls over the forehead and forms a triangle in the back.

–v.t.

1. to split or separate with or as if with a wedge or wedges.

2. to fasten or tighten with a wedge or wedges.

3. to thrust or pack in tightly; squeeze: »

to wedge passengers into a subway train. He wedged himself through the narrow window. The man's foot was wedged between the rocks.

4. Ceramics. to expel air bubbles from (clay) by cutting it into lumps or wedges and beating it.

–v.i.

1. to force a way or opening: »

to wedge through a crowd.

2. to become stuck or caught: »

Two fat men wedged in a doorway.

╂[Old English wecg]

–wedge´like´, adjective.