1. A fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes
   "The hedge provided a natural boundary between the two properties";
   - hedgerow
    
2. Any technique designed to reduce or eliminate financial risk; for example, taking two positions that will offset each other if prices change
   "The company used a currency hedge to protect against exchange rate fluctuations";
   - hedging
    
3. An intentionally noncommittal or ambiguous statement
   "His response was a typical political hedge";
   - hedging

1. Enclose or bound in with or as if with a hedge or hedges
   "hedge the property";
   - hedge in
    
2. Minimize loss or risk
   "diversify your financial portfolio to hedge price risks"; "hedge your bets"
    
3. Avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
   "They tend to hedge their responsibilities";
   - fudge, evade, put off, circumvent, parry, elude, skirt, dodge, duck [informal], sidestep, finesse, circumnavigate
    
4. Hinder or restrict with or as if with a hedge
   "The animals were hedged in"
    
5. (finance) protect oneself against loss by betting or investing in opposing ways
   "The investor hedged his position with put options"

Derived forms: hedging, hedges, hedged

Type of: avoid, close in, enclose, equivocation, evasion, fence, fencing, hem in, inclose, minimise [Brit], minimize, protection, security, shut in

Encyclopedia: Hedge, Thomas