fringe
n. countablen. the outer edge of something, or a group of people with ideas that are very different from most others. You use this to describe things that are not part of the main group.
n. the outer, marginal, or extreme part of an area, group, or activity. Often used to describe political or social movements that exist outside the mainstream consensus.
He lives on the rural fringe of the city.
The candidate's views were once considered part of the political fringe, but they are now gaining mainstream support.
While the festival's main stage hosts famous acts, the fringe events often provide a more experimental and intimate experience for dedicated fans of the genre.
From Middle English frenge, from Old French frenge, from Vulgar Latin *frimbia, a metathesis of Latin fimbriae (“fibers, threads, fringe”, plural), of uncertain origin. Compare German Franse and Danish frynse. Displaced native Middle English fnæd (“fringe”), Middle English byrd (“fringe”), Middle English fasel (“fringe”) from Old English fæs (“fringe”), and Old English fnæs (“fringe”). Doublet of fimbria.
Often used in the singular with 'the' when referring to the edge of a specific area or a social group ('on the fringe').