Definition of Hedge. Meaning of Hedge. Synonyms of Hedge
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Definition of Hedge
Hedge Hedge Hedge, n. [OE. hegge, AS. hecg; akin to haga an
inclosure, E. haw, AS. hege hedge, E. haybote, D. hegge, OHG.
hegga, G. hecke. [root]12. See Haw a hedge.]
A thicket of bushes, usually thorn bushes; especially, such a
thicket planted as a fence between any two portions of land;
and also any sort of shrubbery, as evergreens, planted in a
line or as a fence; particularly, such a thicket planted
round a field to fence it, or in rows to separate the parts
of a garden.
The roughest berry on the rudest hedge. --Shak.
Through the verdant maze Of sweetbrier hedges I pursue
my walk. --Thomson.
Note: Hedge, when used adjectively or in composition, often
means rustic, outlandish, illiterate, poor, or mean;
as, hedge priest; hedgeborn, etc.
Hedge bells, Hedge bindweed (Bot.), a climbing plant
related to the morning-glory (Convolvulus sepium).
Hedge bill, a long-handled billhook.
Hedge garlic (Bot.), a plant of the genus Alliaria. See
Garlic mustard, under Garlic.
Hedge hyssop (Bot.), a bitter herb of the genus Gratiola,
the leaves of which are emetic and purgative.
Hedge marriage, a secret or clandestine marriage,
especially one performed by a hedge priest. [Eng.]
Hedge mustard (Bot.), a plant of the genus Sisymbrium,
belonging to the Mustard family.
Hedge nettle (Bot.), an herb, or under shrub, of the genus
Stachys, belonging to the Mint family. It has a
nettlelike appearance, though quite harmless.
Hedge note.
(a) The note of a hedge bird.
(b) Low, contemptible writing. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Hedge priest, a poor, illiterate priest. --Shak.
Hedge school, an open-air school in the shelter of a hedge,
in Ireland; a school for rustics.
Hedge sparrow (Zo["o]l.), a European warbler (Accentor
modularis) which frequents hedges. Its color is reddish
brown, and ash; the wing coverts are tipped with white.
Called also chanter, hedge warbler, dunnock, and
doney.
Hedge writer, an insignificant writer, or a writer of low,
scurrilous stuff. [Obs.] --Swift.
To breast up a hedge. See under Breast.
To hang in the hedge, to be at a standstill. ``While the
business of money hangs in the hedge.' --Pepys.
Hedge 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.
2. To obstruct, as a road, with a barrier; to hinder from
progress or success; -- sometimes with up and out.
I will hedge up thy way with thorns. --Hos. ii. 6.
Lollius Urbius . . . drew another wall . . . to
hedge out incursions from the north. --Milton.
3. To surround for defense; to guard; to protect; to hem
(in). ``England, hedged in with the main.' --Shak.
4. To surround so as to prevent escape.
That is a law to hedge in the cuckoo. --Locke.
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.
