Marginality

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The condition of existing outside the core social dynamics A state characterized by limited access to resources or opportunities The experience of being excluded from conventional societal norms and practices
2. The condition of residing at the outer edge or fringe of a group or system ; the situation of being socially or economically excluded or sidelined
3. Living or existing away from the central or main part of a community or structure ; experiencing limited inclusion or access within social or economic frameworks

Etymology: Marginality is a fairly plain formation: the adjective "marginal" with the suffix "-ity" added to turn a quality into a noun. The adjective came first, from Latin "margo," meaning edge or border, so the noun is simply the state of being at the edge. The suffix has a longer pedigree than the word. "-ity" descends from Latin "-itas," which Old French turned into "-ite" and Middle English carried into English as "-ite" before it settled into the modern "-ity." Each stage kept the same job: forming abstract nouns from adjectives. The meaning of "marginality" has moved from the physical edge of a page or territory toward the social and political sense of standing outside the mainstream. Used this way, the word describes a position of exclusion rather than a location.

Synonyms: peripherality, insignificance, subordination

Antonyms: centrality, importance, significance