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hedge Definition

hedge (hej)

noun

  1. a row of closely planted shrubs, bushes, or trees forming a boundary or fence
  2. anything serving as a fence or barrier; restriction or defense
  3. the act or an instance of hedging

Etymology: ME hegge < OE hecg, akin to Ger hecke < IE base *kagh-, wickerwork, wickerwork pen > ON heggr, L caulae, sheepfold: basic sense “woven fence, enclosure”

adjective

  1. of, in, or near a hedge
  2. low, disreputable, irregular, etc.

transitive verb hedged, hedg′·ing

  1. to place a hedge around or along; border or bound with a hedge
  2. to hinder or guard as by surrounding with a barrier: often with in
  3. to try to avoid or lessen loss in connection with (a bet, risk, etc.) by making counterbalancing bets, investments, etc.

intransitive verb

  1. to hide or protect oneself, as if behind a hedge
  2. to hide behind words; refuse to commit oneself or give a direct answer
  3. to try to avoid or lessen loss by making counterbalancing bets, investments, etc.

hedge Related Forms

hedg′er noun

hedge Synonyms

hedge

n.

fence, hedgerow, thornbush, shrubbery, enclosure, boundary, bushes, thicket, hurdle, obstacle, windbreak, quickset (British); see also bush 1, plant.

Shrubs and plants used for hedges include: boxwood, box, holly, Russian privet, Japanese privet, California privet, mock privet, jasmine box, hawthorn, hedge thorn, Osage orange, honey locust, Russian olive, rose, honeysuckle, white willow, hedge laurel, myrtle, dogrose, juniper, Glastonbury thorn, wait-a-bit thorn, Washington thorn, furze, broom, gorse, yucca, prickly pear cactus, ocatilla cactus, organ-pipe cactus, forsythia, lilac, azalea, camellia, hibiscus, oleander, rhododendron, spirea, hydrangea, barberry.

hedge Finance Definition

A position created when a financial contract is purchased in the futures or options market. The purpose of the hedge is designed to protect against price changes in the actual commodity or financial instrument. By selling a futures contract, a producer or trader can protect against potential price declines. Buying a futures contract protects against rising costs. In essence, a hedge works somewhat like insurance.

hedge Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • overgrow: The field next to the Chapel had an overgrown hedge over the pavement which needed cutting back.
  • trim: Trees, shrubs, climbers and hedge Last chance to trim deciduous hedges to keep them looking tidy over the winter.

Adjective modifier

  • evergreen: Give evergreen hedges a final trim over to make sure they are in shape for winter.
  • species-rich: Recently planted species-rich hedges are included in this category. Planted Coniferous Woodland Dominated by cultivars of Pinus sylvestris and non-native conifers.
  • deciduous: Its also a good time to trim or cut back deciduous hedges such a hornbeam or hawthorn.
  • thorny: Thorny hedges could also be planted by your property to deter burglars.
  • prickly: A barrier of prickly hedge may be all the protection you need around your property.

Modifies a noun

  • trimmer: Knapsack mounted power packs drive ' wand ' type hedge trimmers producing well branched, uniform liner plants.
  • trimming: Our survey revealed some of the maintenance work, such as hedge trimming, is already being carried out extensively by contractors.
  • clipping: Even humble hedge clippings can become tomorrow's compost.
  • maze: We also have one of the finest yew hedge mazes in Britain.
  • fund: The global hedge funds play a crucial role here.

Noun used with modifier

  • yew: Plant a traditional yew hedge for a perfect finish.
  • hawthorn: I have knelt at the feet of great teachers, but I have also knelt at the twisty branches of the hawthorn hedge.
  • privet: Each house had to have a neatly trimmed privet hedge in front and an apple tree in the back garden!
  • beech: This path drops gradually down into the stream valley between old beech hedges.
  • leylandii: High leylandii hedges down both sides of the property was my excuse, yes I know that's weird!
  • thorn: The relatively wooded character of the thorn hedges gives the landscape a well vegetated appearance.

Present participle complement

lay: Hedge laying This traditional form of boundary management would have once been the staple diet of any farm worker during the winter months.

Preposition: of

hawthorn: No doubt hedges of hawthorn were in evidence in the area.

Browse dictionary entries near hedge

  1. ‹ heder
  2. ‹ heddle
  3. ‹ Hecuba
  4. ‹ hector
  5. ‹ hectometer
  6. ‹ hectoliter
  7. ‹ hectokilo-
  8. ‹ hectograph
  9. ‹ hectogram
  10. ‹ hectocotylus
  1. hedge fund ›
  2. hedge hyssop ›
  3. hedge ratio ›
  4. hedge sparrow ›
  5. hedgehog ›
  6. hedgehop ›
  7. hedger ›
  8. hedgerow ›
  9. hedonic ›
  10. hedonics ›