hedge

1. n. 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. Source: opted

2. v. t. 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. Source: opted

3. v. t. To obstruct, as a road, with a barrier; to hinder from progress or success; -- sometimes with up and out. Source: opted

4. v. t. To surround for defense; to guard; to protect; to hem (in). Source: opted

5. v. t. To surround so as to prevent escape. Source: opted

6. v. i. To shelter one's self from danger, risk, duty, responsibility, etc., as if by hiding in or behind a hedge; to skulk; to slink; to shirk obligations. Source: opted

7. v. i. To reduce the risk of a wager by making a bet against the side or chance one has bet on. Source: opted

8. v. i. To use reservations and qualifications in one's speech so as to avoid committing one's self to anything definite. Source: opted

9. n. a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes Source: wordnet

10. n. any technique designed to reduce or eliminate financial risk; for example, taking two positions that will offset each other if prices change Source: wordnet

11. n. an intentionally noncommittal or ambiguous statement Source: wordnet

12. v. avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues) Source: wordnet

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