Edgeling

/ˈɛdʒlɪŋ/ noun

Definition

A young animal or creature living on the edge or margin of something, or something that exists in a peripheral or marginal state.

Etymology

From Old English 'ecg' (edge) + '-ling' (diminutive suffix for small creatures). The '-ling' suffix historically created names for young or small versions of things, as in 'duckling' or 'gosling.'

Kelly Says

In ecology, 'edgeling' describes young animals that thrive in 'edge habitats'—the transition zones between forest and field where biodiversity actually explodes because they have resources from both environments.

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