hedge

Short definition from Wiktionary

Noun

1. 1
   A thicket of bushes or other shrubbery, especially one planted as a fence between two portions of land, or to separate the parts of a garden.
2. 2
   A barrier (often consisting of a line of persons or objects) to protect someone or something from harm.
3. 3
   A mound of earth, stone- or turf-faced, often topped with bushes, used as a fence between any two portions of land.
4. 4
   A noncommittal or intentionally ambiguous statement.
5. 5
   Contract or arrangement reducing one's exposure to risk (for example the risk of price movements or interest rate movements).
6. 6
   With indication of a person's upbringing, or professional activities, taking place by the side of the road; third-rate, poor, shoddy.

Verb

1. 1
   To enclose with a hedge or hedges.
2. 2
   To obstruct or surround.
3. 3
   To offset the risk associated with.
4. 4
   To avoid verbal commitment.
5. 5
   To construct or repair a hedge.
6. 6
   To reduce one's exposure to risk.

Proper noun

1. 1
   A surname.