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hedge (h j)n.1. A row of closely planted shrubs or low-growing trees forming a fence or boundary. 2. A line of people or objects forming a barrier: a hedge of spectators along the sidewalk. 3. a. A means of protection or defense, especially against financial loss: a hedge against inflation. b. A securities transaction that reduces the risk on an existing investment position. 4. An intentionally noncommittal or ambiguous statement. 5. A word or phrase, such as possibly or I think, that mitigates or weakens the certainty of a statement. v. hedged, hedg·ing, hedg·es v.tr.1. To enclose or bound with or as if with hedges. 2. To hem in, hinder, or restrict with or as if with a hedge. 3. To minimize or protect against the loss of by counterbalancing one transaction, such as a bet, against another. v.intr.1. To plant or cultivate hedges. 2. To take compensatory measures so as to counterbalance possible loss. 3. To avoid making a clear, direct response or statement.
[Middle English, from Old English hecg.]
hedg er n. hedg y adj. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | hedger - a respondent who avoids giving a clear direct answer | | 2. | hedger - someone who counterbalances one transaction (as a bet) against another in order to protect against lossplunger, speculator - someone who risks losses for the possibility of considerable gains | | 3. | hedger - a gardener who takes care of and trims hedgesgardener - someone employed to work in a garden |
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