Numism. Also 7 exerge, -urg. [a. F. exergue (used freq. by De Bie 1634), app. f. Gr. ἐξ out + ἔργον work; prob. intended as a quasi-Gr. rendering of Fr. hors-d’œuvre, something lying outside the work.] A small space usually on the reverse of a coin or medal, below the principal device, for any minor inscription, the date, engraver’s initials, etc. Also, the inscription there inserted.
1697. Evelyn, Numism., v. 188. Position of the Legenda...; some on the Exerge only. Ibid., 98. Exurg.
1761. Swinton, in Phil. Trans., LII. 29. The inscription in the exergue is formed of the Etruscan characters [etc.].
1842. Brande, Dict. Sc. Lit. & Art, 833/1. When occupying the lower extremity of the pieces, and separated from the rest by a horizontal line, they [the words] are termed the exergue.
1864. C. W. King, Gnostics, 54. In the exergue is set out a table supporting a loaf.
transf. 1851. Landor, Popery, 49. Never tear a hole in the exergue of the pantaloon because they have been sitting in a dirty place.
