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hedge
(redirected from hedge bets)

   Also found in: Financial, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.51 sec.
hedge  (hj)
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.]

hedger n.
hedgy adj.

hedge
Noun
1. a row of shrubs or bushes forming a boundary
2. a barrier or protection against something, esp. against the risk of loss on an investment
Verb
[hedging, hedged]
1. to avoid making a decision by making noncommittal statements
2. hedge against to guard against the risk of loss in (a bet or disagreement), by supporting the opposition as well [Old English hecg]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.hedgehedge - a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes
fence, fencing - a barrier that serves to enclose an area
privet hedge - hedge of privet plants
shelterbelt, windbreak - hedge or fence of trees designed to lessen the force of the wind and reduce erosion
2.hedge - any technique designed to reduce or eliminate financial risk; for example, taking two positions that will offset each other if prices change
security, protection - defense against financial failure; financial independence; "his pension gave him security in his old age"; "insurance provided protection against loss of wages due to illness"
3.hedge - an intentionally noncommittal or ambiguous statement; "when you say `maybe' you are just hedging"
equivocation, evasion - a statement that is not literally false but that cleverly avoids an unpleasant truth
Verb1.hedge - avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues); "He dodged the issue"; "she skirted the problem"; "They tend to evade their responsibilities"; "he evaded the questions skillfully"
beg - dodge, avoid answering, or take for granted; "beg the question"; "beg the point in the discussion"
quibble - evade the truth of a point or question by raising irrelevant objections
avoid - stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something; "Her former friends now avoid her"
2.hedge - hinder or restrict with or as if with a hedge; "The animals were hedged in"
hem in - surround in a restrictive manner; "The building was hemmed in by flowers"
hedge in, hedge - enclose or bound in with or as it with a hedge or hedges; "hedge the property"
3.hedge - enclose or bound in with or as it with a hedge or hedges; "hedge the property"
inclose, shut in, close in, enclose - surround completely; "Darkness enclosed him"; "They closed in the porch with a fence"
hedge - hinder or restrict with or as if with a hedge; "The animals were hedged in"
4.hedge - minimize loss or risk; "diversify your financial portfolio to hedge price risks"; "hedge your bets"
minimize, minimise - make small or insignificant; "Let's minimize the risk"

hedge
verb 2. prevaricate, evade, sidestep, duck, dodge, flannel Brit. (informal) waffle (informal), chiefly Brit. quibble, beg the question, pussyfoot (informal) equivocate, temporize, be noncommittal
hedge against something protect, insure, guard, safeguard, shield, cover, fortify
hedge someone in hamper, restrict, handicap, hamstring, hinder, hem in
hedge something in surround, enclose, encompass, encircle, ring, fence in, girdle, hem in
hedge something or someone about restrict, confine, hinder, hem in, hem around, hem about
Translations
Spanish hedge [hɛdʒ] nseto
vtcercar (con un seto)
vicontestar con evasivas;
as a hedge against inflation → como protección contra la inflación;
to hedge one's bets (fig) → cubrirse

French hedge [hɛdʒ] nhaie f
vise dérober
vt to hedge one's bets (fig) → se couvrir;
as a hedge against inflation → pour se prémunir contre l'inflation
hedge in vtentourer d'une haie

German hedge [hɛdʒ] nHecke f
vt to hedge one's bets (fig) → sich absichern;
as a hedge against inflation → als Absicherung or Schutz gegen die Inflation
hedge in hedge vt (person) → (in seiner Freiheit) einschränken;
(proposals etc) → behindern

Italian hedge [hɛdʒ] nsiepe f
viessere elusivo/a;
as a hedge against inflation → per cautelarsi contro l'inflazione;
to hedge one's bets (fig) → coprirsi dai rischi
hedge in vtrecintare con una siepe

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? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
Green techniques Guenther incorporates into her work gives her an edge over green designers of other types of projects who hedge bets that users will feel long-term effects of their work--as patients report changes faster.
Of the current top 10 services providers, IDC suggests that IBM Global Services, EDS, Fujitsu, and CSC will maintain their positions but won't hedge bets on the remaining leaders in today's market.
Again, an index fund is a good way to hedge bets among several producers: Rushmore's American Gas Index Fund, a no-load fund with a low expense ratio, may be an interesting choice.
 
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