GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found 2 definitions
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Hedge (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hedged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Hedging.]
1. To inclose or separate with a hedge; to fence with a thickly set line or thicket of shrubs or small trees; as, “to hedge a field or garden”.
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2. To obstruct, as a road, with a barrier; to hinder from progress or success; -- sometimes with up and out.
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I will hedge up thy way with thorns. Hos. ii. 6.
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Lollius Urbius . . . drew another wall . . . to hedge out incursions from the north. Milton.
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3. To surround for defense; to guard; to protect; to hem (in). “England, hedged in with the main.” Shak.
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4. To surround so as to prevent escape.
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That is a law to hedge in the cuckoo. Locke.
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5. To protect oneself against excessive loss in an activity by taking a countervailing action; as, “to hedge an investment denominated in a foreign currency by buying or selling futures in that currency; to hedge a donation to one political party by also donating to the opposed political party”.
[PJC]
To hedge a bet, to bet upon both sides; that is, after having bet on one side, to bet also on the other, thus guarding against loss. See hedge5.
[1913 Webster]
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hedged adj. [p. p. from hedge, v. i. 3.] qualified; limited or restricted; as, “a hedged promise”.
Syn. -- weasel-worded.
[WordNet 1.5]