HEDGE

I. noun Etymology: Middle English hegge, from Old English hecg; akin to Old English haga ~, hawthorn Date: before 12th century 1. a fence or boundary formed by a dense row of shrubs or low trees, barrier , limit , a means of protection or defense (as against financial loss), a calculatedly noncommittal or evasive statement, II. verb (~d; hedging) Date: 14th century transitive verb to enclose or protect with or as if with a ~ ; encircle , to hem in or obstruct with or as if with a barrier ; hinder , to protect oneself from losing or failing by a counterbalancing action , intransitive verb to plant, form, or trim a ~, to evade the risk of commitment especially by leaving open a way of retreat ; trim , to protect oneself financially: as, to buy or sell commodity futures as a protection against loss due to price fluctuation, to minimize the risk of a bet, ~r noun hedgingly adverb III. adjective Date: 14th century of, relating to, or designed for a ~, born, living, or made near or as if near ~s ; roadside , inferior 3