from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Hedge \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.
[1913 Webster]
2. To obstruct, as a road, with a barrier; to hinder from
progress or success; -- sometimes with up and out.
[1913 Webster]
I will hedge up thy way with thorns. --Hos. ii. 6.
[1913 Webster]
Lollius Urbius . . . drew another wall . . . to
hedge out incursions from the north. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
3. To surround for defense; to guard; to protect; to hem
(in). "England, hedged in with the main." --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
4. To surround so as to prevent escape.
[1913 Webster]
That is a law to hedge in the cuckoo. --Locke.
[1913 Webster]
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 hedge[5].
[1913 Webster]