[hɛdʒ], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a fence or boundary formed by closely growing bushes or shrubs
(e.g: a privet hedge)

- a way of protecting oneself against financial loss or other adverse circumstances
(e.g: index-linked gilts are a useful hedge against inflation)

- a word or phrase used to avoid overprecise commitment, for example etc., often, or sometimes


Phrases:
- hedge one's bets

Origin:
Old English hegg, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch heg and German Hecke

[hɛdʒ], (Verb)

Definitions:
- surround with a hedge
(e.g: a garden hedged with yew)

- limit or qualify (something) by conditions or exceptions
(e.g: they hedged their story about with provisos)

- protect oneself against loss on (a bet or investment) by making balancing or compensating transactions
(e.g: the company hedged its investment position on the futures market)


Phrases:
- hedge one's bets

Origin:
Old English hegg, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch heg and German Hecke