1869, "strip of land along a frontier," from border (n.) + line (n.). As an adjective meaning "verging on" it is attested from 1907, originally in medical jargon.
权威例句
1. In borderline cases teachers will take the final decision, based on the student's previous work.
在难以定夺的情况下,教师将根据学生先前的作业做出最终评分。
2. After the exams, the teacher gave all borderline cases a spoken test.
考试后老师对那些在及格线上下的学生进行了一次口试.
3. She's on the borderline between a first - and second - class honours degree.
她介于 一等 和二等荣誉学位之间.
4. Some were obviously unsuitable and could be ruled out at once. Others were borderline cases.
一些明显不合适,可以马上排除。另一些则勉强合格。
5. Palmer Kirby worked in the borderline where commerce exploited science.