Etymology 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.
1
A thicket of bushes or other shrubbery, especially one planted as a fence between two portions of land, or to separate the parts of a garden.
He trims the hedge once a week.
But then I had the [massive] flintlock by me for protection. ¶[…]The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window[…], and a 'bead' could be drawn upon Molly, the dairymaid, kissing the fogger behind the hedge, little dreaming that the deadly tube was levelled at them.1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter 1, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC:
2
A barrier (often consisting of a line of persons or objects) to protect someone or something from harm.
Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Job 1:9–10:
3
Cornwall, Devon, UK, West Country A mound of earth, stone- or turf-faced, often topped with bushes, used as a fence between any two portions of land.
4
Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences A noncommittal or intentionally ambiguous statement.
Especially applied linguistics and pragmatics
When not inaccurate, much commentary on the contents of Hobson-Jobson is couched in hedges or relies on speculative estimates in the absence of exact information.2018, James Lambert, “Setting the Record Straight: An In-depth Examination of Hobson-Jobson”, in International Journal of Lexicography, volume 31, number 4, →DOI, page 487:
5
Business, Finance 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.
A hedge is an investment position intended to offset potential losses/gains that may be incurred by a companion investment. In simple language, a hedge is used to reduce any substantial losses/gains suffered by an individual or an organization.
6
Ireland, UK, Figuratively With indication of a person's upbringing, or professional activities, taking place by the side of the road; being third-rate, poor, shoddy.
Attalus[…]made him so dead-drunke that insensibly and without feeling he might prostitute his beauty as the body of a common hedge-harlot, to Mulettiers, Groomes and many of the abject servants of his house.1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 2, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:
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.
1 more example
This particular wheelwright is only a hedge carpenter, without even a shop of his own,[…].1899, Henry Rider Haggard, A Farmer's Year: Being His Commonplace Book for 1898, page 222:
Etymology Inherited from Middle English heggen, from the noun (see above).
1
To enclose with a hedge or hedges.
to hedge a field or garden
2
To obstruct or surround.
Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Hosea 2:6:
Lollius Urbius […] drew another wall […] to hedge out incursions from the north.1670, John Milton, “(please specify the page)”, in The History of Britain, that Part Especially now Call’d England. […], London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for James Allestry, […] , →OCLC: