Antemarginal

/ˌæntɪˈmɑːrdʒɪnəl/ adjective

Definition

Located or occurring just before the margin or edge of something, positioned immediately prior to a boundary.

Etymology

From Latin 'ante-' (before) + 'marginalis' (relating to a margin). The prefix 'ante-' comes from Proto-Indo-European and appears in many English words to indicate precedence in time or space.

Kelly Says

This botanical and zoological term reveals how scientists need precise language for tiny differences—what looks like one structure to us might have three distinct zones: premargin, margin, and postmargin!

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