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Added 9 October 2026

hedge

/ˈhɛd͡ʒ/ noun

In Latin: saepēs Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about hedge at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes.
Any technique designed to reduce or eliminate financial risk; for example, taking two positions that will offset each other if prices change.
An intentionally noncommittal or ambiguous statement.
when you say `maybe' you are just hedging

verb

Avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues).
He dodged the issue
Hinder or restrict with or as if with a hedge.
The animals were hedged in
Enclose or bound in with or as it with a hedge or hedges.
hedge the property

Origin

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.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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