Etymology

Noun

1. A thicket of bushes, usually thorn bushes; especially, such a thicket planted as a fence between any two portions of land; and also any sort of shrubbery, as evergreens, planted in a line or as a fence; particularly, such a thicket planted round a field to fence it, or in rows to separate the parts of a garden.

   He trims the hedge once a week.

2. A non-committal or intentionally ambiguous statement.
3. Contract or arrangement reducing one's exposure to risk (for example the risk of price movements or interest rate movements).

   The asset class acts as a hedge.

4. Used attributively, with figurative indication of a person's upbringing, or professional activities, taking place by the side of the road; third-rate.
   • 1. • 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, Folio Society 1973, p. 639:

          He then traced them from place to place, till at last he found two of them drinking together, with a third person, at a hedge-tavern near Aldersgate.

     
     

     Verb

     
     
     
     1. To enclose.
     2. To obstruct.
     3. To offset the risk associated with.
     4. To avoid verbal commitment.

        He carefully hedged his statements with weasel words.

     5. To construct or repair a hedge.
     6. To reduce one's exposure to risk.