small and not important 小的；微不足道的；不重要的 - (
economics 经济学 relating to or resulting from small changes 写在页边空白处的 All three companies reported marginal revenue growth. 这三家公司都报告了边际收入增长。
not part of a main or important group or situation 非主体的；边缘的 marginal groups in society 社会中的非主流群体 Welsh was considered a marginal language. 威尔士语被认为是边缘语言。
- (especially British English,
politics 政治 won or lost by a very small number of votes and therefore very important or interesting as evidence of public opinion （议席或选区）边缘的（以微弱票数决定成败） a marginal seat/constituency 边缘席位／选区
Extra ExamplesTopics Politicsc1Their campaign targeted marginal constituencies. 他们的竞选活动针对边缘选区。 They risk losing key marginal seats at the next election. 他们有失去下次选举关键边缘席位的风险。
- [only before noun]
written in the margin of a page 写在页边空白处的 marginal notes/comments 页边的注解／评论
(of land 土地 that cannot produce enough good crops to make a profit 贫瘠的（因而盈利有限）
Word Originlate 16th cent.: from medieval Latin marginalis, from margo, margin- ‘edge’.