hedge
1. [ noun ] a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes
Synonyms: hedgerow
Related terms: fence windbreak privet_hedge
2. [ verb ] avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
Synonyms: sidestep evade skirt dodge duck parry circumvent elude put_off fudge
Examples:

"He dodged the issue" "she skirted the problem" "They tend to evade their responsibilities" "he evaded the questions skillfully"

Related terms: avoid quibble evasion dodge circumvention equivocator
3. [ noun ] Last name, frequency rank in the U.S. is 6916
4. [ verb ] minimize loss or risk
Examples:

"diversify your financial portfolio to hedge price risks" "hedge your bets"

Related terms: minimize hedger
5. [ verb ] enclose or bound in with or as it with a hedge or hedges
Synonyms: hedge_in
Examples:

"hedge the property"

Related terms: enclose
6. [ verb ] hinder or restrict with or as if with a hedge
Examples:

"The animals were hedged in"

Related terms: hem_in
7. [ noun ] (finance) any technique designed to reduce or eliminate financial risk; for example, taking two positions that will offset each other if prices change
Synonyms: hedging
Related terms: security
8. [ noun ] an intentionally noncommittal or ambiguous statement
Synonyms: hedging
Examples:

"when you say `maybe' you are just hedging"

Related terms: evasion
Similar spelling:   head_sea
  headache
  Hedwig