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borderline

 - 3 dictionary results

bor⋅der⋅line

[bawr-der-lahyn]
–adjective
1. on or near a border or boundary.
2. uncertain; indeterminate; debatable: not an alcoholic, but a borderline case.
3. not quite meeting accepted, expected, or average standards.
4. approaching bad taste or obscenity: He made several borderline remarks that offended them.
–noun
5. a person suffering from borderline personality.

Origin:
1865–70; border + line 1


3. marginal, problematic, uncertain, doubtful.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To borderline
bor·der·line   (bôr'dər-līn')   
n.  
  1. A line that establishes or marks a border.

  2. An indefinite area intermediate between two qualities or conditions: The borderline between love and hate is often thin.

adj.  
    1. Verging on a given quality or condition: borderline poverty.

    2. Of a questionable nature or quality: an applicant with borderline qualifications.

    3. Psychology Relating to any phenomenon that is intermediate between two groups and not clearly categorized in either group: a borderline state showing the characteristics of both neurotic and psychotic reactions.

    4. Relating to a condition characterized by a pattern of instability in mood, interpersonal relations, and self-image, and manifested by self-destructive, impulsive, and inconsistent behavior: the borderline syndrome.

    1. Psychology Relating to any phenomenon that is intermediate between two groups and not clearly categorized in either group: a borderline state showing the characteristics of both neurotic and psychotic reactions.

    2. Relating to a condition characterized by a pattern of instability in mood, interpersonal relations, and self-image, and manifested by self-destructive, impulsive, and inconsistent behavior: the borderline syndrome.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: bor·der·line
Pronunciation: -"lIn
Function: adjective
1 : being in an intermediate position or state : not fullyclassifiable as one thing or its opposite; especially : not quite up to what is usual, standard, or expected <borderline intelligence>
2 : exhibitingtypical but not altogether conclusive symptoms borderline diabetic>
3 : of, relating to, being, or exhibiting a behavior pattern typical or suggestive ofborderline personality disorder
borderline patient> <borderline behavior>
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