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.
Phrases and idioms:
hedge-hop fly at a very low altitude. hedge sparrow a common grey and brown bird, Prunella modularis; the dunnock .
Derivatives:
hedger n.
Etymology: OE hegg f. Gmc