From Middle English legge, from Old English leċġ (“bar, crossbeam”), from Proto-West Germanic *laggju (“layer, strip, ledge, rung, bar”), from Proto-Germanic *lagjō (“layer, stratum”), from Proto-Indo-European *legʰ- (“to lie, recline”). Cognate with West Frisian lêch (“a layer of sheaves on a threshing floor”), Dutch leg (“layer”), German Low German Legg (“wrinkle, fold, flat layer, stratum”), Middle High German legge, lecke (“position, layer, stratum, tier; pleat, hem”). Related to Middle English leggen (“to lay, apply”), from Old English leċġan (“to lay”); and Old English *ġeleċġ (“positioning, arrangement, layout”) as in Old English limġeleċġ (“the disposition of the limbs, form, shape”). More at lay.
A narrow surface projecting horizontally from a wall, cliff, or other surface.
Let me help you tie the rope around your neck / Let me help to talk you the wrong way off the ledge / Let me help you hold the Glock against your head2000, “Dig”, in L.D. 50, performed by Mudvayne, Track 2:
There's something inside this / Confusion we face / We marvel in silence / As time ticks away / Where's the ledge? / I can't touch it / But I feel it's so close2020 September 25, “Radiant City”, in Ohms, performed by Deftones:
2
A shelf on which articles may be laid.
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Geography, Geology, Natural sciences A shelf, ridge, or reef, of rocks.
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A layer or stratum.
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A lode; a limited mass of rock bearing valuable mineral.
From Middle English legge, from Old English leċġ (“bar, crossbeam”), from Proto-West Germanic *laggju (“layer, strip, ledge, rung, bar”), from Proto-Germanic *lagjō (“layer, stratum”), from Proto-Indo-European *legʰ- (“to lie, recline”). Cognate with West Frisian lêch (“a layer of sheaves on a threshing floor”), Dutch leg (“layer”), German Low German Legg (“wrinkle, fold, flat layer, stratum”), Middle High German legge, lecke (“position, layer, stratum, tier; pleat, hem”). Related to Middle English leggen (“to lay, apply”), from Old English leċġan (“to lay”); and Old English *ġeleċġ (“positioning, arrangement, layout”) as in Old English limġeleċġ (“the disposition of the limbs, form, shape”). More at lay.
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Uncommon To cause to have, or to develop, a ledge (during mining, canal construction, building, etc).
[...] preparation must not remove excess dentine from the canal, and care must be taken not to ledge the canal walls.1993, Proceedings, page 87:
Length Longer canals are more prone to ledging than shorter canals. Careful attention to maintaining patency is required to prevent ledging. Initial Size Smaller-diameter canals are more easily ledged than larger-diameter canals. In summary ...2009, Mahmoud Torabinejad, Richard E. Walton, Endodontics: Principles and Practice, Elsevier Health Sciences, →ISBN, page 330:
ledge
noun
Etymology Shortening of legislature.
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Canada, Slang A provincial or territorial legislature building.
Known to Edmontonians as "the Ledge", the Alberta Legislature Building is a marvel of marble pillars, carved oak, beautiful Beaux-Arts architecture and stunning grounds."Alberta Legislature," Explore Edmonton https://exploreedmonton.com/attractions-and-experiences/alberta-legislature
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Canada, Slang A provincial or territorial legislative assembly.