wedge

I. noun Etymology: Middle English wegge, from Old English wecg; akin to Old High German wecki wedge, Lithuanian vagis Date: before 12th century 1. a piece of a substance (as wood or iron) that tapers to a thin edge and is used for splitting wood and rocks, raising heavy bodies, or for tightening by being driven into something 2. a. something (as a policy) causing a breach or separation b. something used to initiate an action or development 3. something wedge-shaped: as a. an array of troops or tanks in the form of a wedge b. the wedge-shaped stroke in cuneiform characters c. a shoe having a heel extending from the back of the shoe to the front of the shank and a tread formed by an extension of the sole d. an iron golf club with a broad low-angled face for maximum loft 4. a golf shot made with a wedge — called also wedge shot II. verb (wedged; wedging) Date: 15th century transitive verb 1. to fasten or tighten by driving in a wedge 2. a. to force or press (something) into a narrow space ; cram b. to force (one's way) into or through <

wedged his way into the crowd

> 3. to separate or force apart with or as if with a wedge intransitive verb to become wedged