Hedge | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Hĕdge, n.

noun

(hēj), n. [A.-S. hege, hegge, häge, haga, hāg, O. H. Ger. hegga, M. H. Ger. hegge, hecke, N. H. Ger. hecke, D. hegge, heg, haag, Icel. hagi, Dan. hække, häk, Sw. häck. See HAUGH.] 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.

Through the verdant maze Of sweetbrier hedges I pursue my walk. Thomson.

Hedge is sometimes prefixed to another word, or used in composition, to denote something rustic, outlandish, poor, or mean.

Hĕdge, v. t.

verbtransitive

(hēj), v. t. [imp. & p. p. HEDGED; p. pr. & vb. n. HEDGING.] [A-S. hegian, N. & M. H. Ger. hegen, O. H. Ger. hegjan, hehjan.]

To inclose or separate with a hedge; to fence with a thicket of shrubs or small trees; as, to hedge a field or garden.
To obstruct, as a road, with a barrier; to hinder from progress or success;— sometimes with out.

I will hedge up thy way with thorns. Hos. ii. 6. Lollius Urbicus ... drew another wall ... to hedge out incursions from the north. Milton.

To surround for defense; to fortify; to guard; to protect; to hem in. “England hedged in with the main.” Shak.
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 side, thus guarding against great loss, whatever may be the result.

Hēd'ge, v. i.

verbintransitive

(hēj), v. i. 1. To hide, as in a hedge; to hide; to skulk. Shak. 2. To bet on both sides.