/-nl; -nl/
adj
1 [attrib 作定语] of or in a margin(1a) （纸页）空白边缘（上）的, 页边空白（上）的
*marginal notes, marks, etc 页边的注解、标记等.
2 small; slight 小的; 少的; 轻微的
*There's only a marginal difference between the two estimates. 这两种估计差别很小.
3 insignificant 微不足道的; 不重要的
*This once important social group is becoming more and more marginal (to the way the country is run). 这个一度十分重要的社会集团（对治理该国的影响）越来越无足轻重了.
4 (of land) not fertile enough for profitable farming except when prices of farm products are high （指土地）贫瘠的（非至农产品价格上涨时不值得利用的）.
5 (politics 政 esp Brit) that is won by only a small majority of votes 仅以微弱多数票获胜的
*a marginal seat/constituency 边缘席位[选区]. n seat or constituency of this type 边缘席位或选区
*a Labour marginal 工党的边缘席位.

adj
a marginal change or difference is too small to be important
　a marginal increase in the unemployment figures
　a marginal improvement in profits
technical relating to a change in cost, value etc when one more thing is produced, one more dollar is earned etc
　marginal revenue
marginal seat/constituency
BrE a seat in a parliament or similar institution, which can be won or lost by a small number of votes
marginal people or groups not are considered powerful or important
≠ mainstream
　The album contains too many songs by marginal bands.
[only before noun]
written in a margin
　marginal notes