n. & v.
n. 1 a fence or boundary formed by closely growing bushes or shrubs. 2 a protection against possible loss or diminution.
v. 1 tr. surround or bound with a hedge. 2 tr. (foll. by in) enclose. 3 a tr. reduce one's risk of loss on (a bet or speculation) by compensating transactions on the other side. b intr. avoid a definite decision or commitment. 4 intr. make or trim hedges. hedge-hop fly at a very low altitude. hedge sparrow a common grey and brown bird, Prunella modularis; the dunnock . hedger n.
[ OE hegg f. Gmc ]