hedge

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A row of bushes or small trees that forms a boundary or fence.

   He trims the hedge in his garden once a week.

2. 2
   verb

   To protect yourself against loss or risk, especially with money.

   Investors often hedge against falling prices by spreading their money.

3. 3
   noun

   An arrangement made to reduce the risk of losing money.

   Gold can act as a hedge when stock prices fall.

4. 4
   noun

   A vague or careful statement that avoids giving a clear answer.

   His reply was full of hedges and gave no real promise.

From Middle English hegge, from Old English heċġ, from Proto-West Germanic *haggju, from Proto-Germanic *hagjō, from Proto-Indo-European *kagʰyóm (“enclosure”). Cognate with Dutch heg, German Hecke. Doublet of hey (a choreographic figure) and quay. More at haw.

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