The meaning of Hedge

noun

An improvised barrier erected across a street or other thoroughfare to prevent or delay the movement of opposing forces.

Usage examples:

They built barricades in the narrow streets

verb

Block or defend with a barricade.

Usage examples:

They barricaded the building and occupied it all night

noun

A fence or other obstacle that prevents movement or access.

Usage examples:

The mountain barrier between norway and sweden

noun

Anything used or acting to block someone from going somewhere or from doing something, or to block something from happening

Usage examples:

The secret service erected concrete barriers around the white house., jackie robinson was the afric…

noun

Something that prevents something else from happening or makes it more difficult

Usage examples:

Barrier (to sth) in an ideal world, there would be no barriers to the free movement of people betwe…

noun

A line separating two countries, administrative divisions, or other areas.

Usage examples:

Panama's western border with costa rica

verb

Form an edge along or beside (something).

Usage examples:

A pool bordered by palm trees

noun

The line that divides one country or place from another

Usage examples:

The rio grande forms part of the us border., the card has a pretty design around the border., [ t ]…

verb

Walk or run with leaping strides.

Usage examples:

Louis came bounding down the stairs

noun

A leaping movement towards or over something.

Usage examples:

I went up the steps in two effortless bounds

verb

Form the boundary of; enclose.

Usage examples:

The ground was bounded by a main road on one side and a meadow on the other

noun

A line which marks the limits of an area; a dividing line.

Usage examples:

A county boundary

noun

An edge or limit of something

Usage examples:

You can camp anywhere inside the boundaries of the park., your work is limited only by the boundari…

noun

A real or imagined line that marks the edge or limit of something

Usage examples:

Boundary between the ural mountains mark the boundary between europe and asia., residents are oppos…

noun

A person or thing that reduces a shock or that forms a barrier between incompatible or antagonistic people or things.

Usage examples:

Family and friends can provide a buffer against stress

verb

Lessen or moderate the impact of (something).

Usage examples:

The massage helped to buffer the strain

noun

An elderly man who is considered to be foolishly old-fashioned, unworldly, or incompetent.

Usage examples:

A distinguished old buffer

noun

A round plane figure whose boundary (the circumference) consists of points equidistant from a fixed point (the centre).

Usage examples:

Draw a circle with a compass

verb

Move all the way around (someone or something), especially more than once.

Usage examples:

They were circling athens airport

adjective

Only a short distance away or apart in space or time.

Usage examples:

The hotel is close to the sea

adverb

Very near to someone or something; with very little space between.

Usage examples:

They stood close to the door

noun

Another term for high (sense 7 of the adjective).

verb

Keep or restrict someone or something within certain limits of (space, scope, or time).

Usage examples:

He does not confine his message to high politics

noun

The borders or boundaries of a place, especially with regard to their restricting freedom of movement.

Usage examples:

Within the confines of the hall escape was difficult

verb

To keep someone or something within limits

Usage examples:

The animals were confined in a large pen., harris does not confine her stage work to broadway., can…

verb

Compel or force (someone) to follow a particular course of action.

Usage examples:

Children are constrained to work in the way the book dictates

verb

To limit someone's freedom, or to limit the way something develops or grows

Usage examples:

Rising energy costs are constraining consumer and business spending.

verb

Put something on top of or in front of (something), especially in order to protect or conceal it.

Usage examples:

The table had been covered with a checked tablecloth

noun

A thing which lies on, over, or around something, especially in order to protect or conceal it.

Usage examples:

A seat cover

verb

To put or spread something over something, or to lie on the surface of something

Usage examples:

Once the rice comes to a boil, turn down the flame and cover the pot., she covered the child with a…

noun

A bag of cloth stuffed with a mass of soft material, used as a comfortable support for sitting or leaning on.

Usage examples:

Comfortable chairs and sofas piled with cushions

verb

Soften the effect of an impact on.

Usage examples:

The bag cushions equipment from inevitable knocks

noun

A large, usually square bag filled with soft material, used as a movable part of a chair or sofa, for sitting on or resting your back against, or a similar but smaller bag used to make yourself more comfortable while sitting

Usage examples:

She sank back against the sofa cushions., the soft grass cushioned his fall (= made it hurt less).

noun

The outside limit of an object, area, or surface.

Usage examples:

A willow tree at the water's edge

verb

Provide with a border or edge.

Usage examples:

The pool is edged with paving

verb

A line determining the limits of an area

verb

Form a circle around; surround.

Usage examples:

The town is encircled by fortified walls

verb

To surround or form a circle around something

Usage examples:

A parking lot encircles the mall.

verb

Surround or close off on all sides.

Usage examples:

The entire estate was enclosed with walls

verb

To surround

Usage examples:

The garden is enclosed by four walls., please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

verb

To include something inside a letter or parcel

Usage examples:

Apply in writing, enclosing a current cv, to the address below., please find enclosed an applicatio…

verb

Surround; encircle.

Usage examples:

Railways engirdled this tract of country

noun

The use of ambiguous language to conceal the truth or to avoid committing oneself; prevarication.

Usage examples:

I say this without equivocation

noun

A way of speaking that is intentionally not clear and is confusing to other people, especially to hide the truth, or something said in this way

Usage examples:

He answered openly and honestly without hesitation or equivocation., her equivocations were not eva…

noun

The action of evading something.

Usage examples:

Their adroit evasion of almost all questions

noun

The act of avoiding something unpleasant or unwanted

Usage examples:

[ u ] tax evasion, [ c ] a political speech full of evasions

noun

The act of intentionally avoiding doing something that you have a duty or responsibility to do

Usage examples:

Tax/fare/duty evasion the former accountant was charged with multiple counts of tax evasion., evasi…

noun

A barrier, railing, or other upright structure, typically of wood or wire, enclosing an area of ground to prevent or control access or escape.

Usage examples:

South korean news agency yonhap said the group cut through a wire fence to gain access to the schoo…

verb

Surround or protect with a fence.

Usage examples:

Our garden was not fully fenced

noun

A structure of wood or wire forming a wall around a house or a piece of land, often to keep people or animals from coming in or going out

Usage examples:

He put up a fence to keep his dog in the backyard., the area is fenced on three sides but not along…

noun

A soft crumbly or chewy sweet made from sugar, butter, and milk or cream.

Usage examples:

There is nothing remotely healthy about the crumbly fudge from the burnt sugar sweet company but it…

verb

Present or deal with (something) in a vague or inadequate way, especially so as to conceal the truth or mislead.

Usage examples:

The authorities have fudged the issue

exclamation

Nonsense! (expressing disbelief or annoyance).

Usage examples:

‘you know how she despises me!’ ‘fudge! she dotes on you’

verb

Encircle (a person or part of the body) with a belt or band.

Usage examples:

A young man was to be girded with the belt of knighthood

noun

A cutting or critical remark.

Usage examples:

His girds were oblique, and touched to the quick

verb

To tie something around your body or part of your body

Usage examples:

The knights girded themselves for battle (= put on their swords and fighting clothes).

noun

A belt or cord worn round the waist.

Usage examples:

Her waist was defined by a gold chain girdle

verb

Encircle (the body) with a girdle.

Usage examples:

The friar loosened the rope that girdled his waist

noun

A heavy, flat iron plate that is heated and used for cooking food; a griddle.

Usage examples:

Place a girdle or heavy non-stick frying pan on a medium heat.

verb

Watch over in order to protect or control.

Usage examples:

Two men were left to guard the stockade

noun

A person who keeps watch, especially a soldier or other person assigned to protect a person or to control access to a place.

Usage examples:

A security guard

noun

A person or group of people whose job is to protect a person, place, or thing from danger or attack, or to prevent a person such as a criminal from escaping

Usage examples:

Prison guards, security guards, post a guard there are guards posted (= standing and watching) at e…

noun

A rough or mixed hedge of wild shrubs and occasional trees, typically bordering a road or field.

Usage examples:

It will gobble up your fields and hedgerows, your trees and wildlife habitats.

noun

A line of different types of bushes and small trees growing very close together, especially between fields or along the sides of roads in the countryside

verb

Make it difficult for (someone) to do something or for (something) to happen.

Usage examples:

Language barriers hindered communication between scientists

adjective

(especially of a bodily part) rear; hind.

Usage examples:

The hinder end of its body

verb

To limit the ability of someone to do something, or to limit the development of something

Usage examples:

A poor diet can hinder mental and physical growth., i don’t know if these changes are going to help…

verb

Delay or prevent (someone or something) by obstructing them; hinder.

Usage examples:

The sap causes swelling which can impede breathing

noun

An arrangement by which a company or the state undertakes to provide a guarantee of compensation for specified loss, damage, illness, or death in return for payment of a specified premium.

Usage examples:

Many new borrowers take out insurance against unemployment or sickness

noun

The agreement in which you pay a company money and the company pays the cost if you have an accident, injury, or loss

Usage examples:

Fire/health/life insurance

noun

An agreement in which you pay a company money, either in one payment or in regular payments, and they pay your costs, for example, if you lose or damage something, or have an accident, injury, etc.

Usage examples:

Car/holiday/home/health, etc. insurance, an insurance plan/policy, to buy/sell insurance, insurance…

verb

Arrange for compensation in the event of damage to or loss of (property), or injury to or the death of (someone), in exchange for regular payments to a company or to the state.

Usage examples:

The table should be insured for £2,500

verb

To make something certain, or to be certain about something

Usage examples:

[ + (that) clause ] because of the importance of the game, we wanted to insure (that) it would be t…

verb

To protect yourself against risk by buying insurance from a company that will provide an agreed amount of money if a particular event happens, for example if you are killed or injured or if your possessions are damaged or stolen

Usage examples:

Insure sb/sth/yourself against sth we hadn't insured the bicycles against theft., insure sth for st…

noun

A point or level beyond which something does not or may not extend or pass.

Usage examples:

The failure showed the limits of british power

verb

Set or serve as a limit to.

Usage examples:

Try to limit the amount you drink

noun

The greatest amount, number, or level allowed or possible

Usage examples:

There’s a limit to her patience., two cups of coffee are my limit., spending limits were imposed by…

verb

Block (an opening, path, road, etc.); be or get in the way of.

Usage examples:

She was obstructing the entrance

noun

The fact of avoiding telling the truth or saying exactly what you think

Usage examples:

All my attempts to question the authorities on the subject were met by prevarication., it was his p…

verb

Keep safe from harm or injury.

Usage examples:

He tried to protect kelly from the attack

verb

Shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage

verb

To keep someone or something safe from injury, damage, or loss

Usage examples:

He says he was protecting his home and family., a citizens’ group worked to protect forest areas.

noun

The action of protecting, or the state of being protected.

Usage examples:

The b vitamins give protection against infection

noun

The condition or state of being kept safe from injury, damage, or loss

Usage examples:

[ u ] their tent offered little protection against the storm., [ c ] the proposed law is intended t…

noun

The act of keeping someone or something safe from injury, damage, or loss, or the state of being protected in this way

Usage examples:

We need protection from bad or incompetent doctors., retailers believe the magnetic cards give the …

noun

The action of providing or supplying something for use.

Usage examples:

New contracts for the provision of services

verb

Supply with food, drink, or equipment, especially for a journey.

Usage examples:

Civilian contractors were responsible for provisioning these armies

noun

Something that is needed or wanted, or the act of considering the need for something and arranging for it

Usage examples:

[ u ] when designing buildings in california, you have to make some provision for earthquakes., [ c…

noun

A pass of an examination or an official completion of a course, especially one conferring status as a recognized practitioner of a profession or activity.

Usage examples:

I left school at 15 with no qualifications

noun

Knowledge, skill, or some other characteristic that gives a person the ability or the right to do or have something

Usage examples:

I assume my qualifications for the job will be considered along with theirs., passing the advanced …

noun

An official record showing that you have successfully finished a course of training or study, have the skills necessary to do something, etc.

Usage examples:

Salary will depend on qualifications and experience., gain/get/obtain a qualification graduates are…

noun

A slight objection or criticism about a trivial matter.

Usage examples:

The only quibble about this book is the price

verb

Argue or raise objections about a trivial matter.

Usage examples:

They are always quibbling about the amount they are prepared to pay

verb

To argue or complain about small and unimportant details

Usage examples:

The issue is too important to quibble over., my only quibble with the movie is that it’s too long.

noun

Hedging, especially of hawthorn, grown from slips or cuttings.

Usage examples:

The fields were hedged around with quickset

verb

Put a limit on; keep under control.

Usage examples:

Some roads may have to be closed at peak times to restrict the number of visitors

verb

To limit someone's actions or movement, or to limit the amount, size, etc., of something

Usage examples:

The government has so sharply restricted his fishing that he can barely pay his crew., the state le…

verb

To limit something, reduce its size, or prevent it from increasing

Usage examples:

If they want to restrict access to their pages, privacy controls are available., restrict the sale/…

noun

A small circular band, typically of precious metal and often set with one or more gemstones, worn on a finger as an ornament or a token of marriage, engagement, or authority.

Usage examples:

A diamond ring

verb

Surround (someone or something), especially for protection or containment.

Usage examples:

The courthouse was ringed with police

noun

An act of ringing a bell, or the resonant sound caused by this.

Usage examples:

There was a ring at the door

noun

A measure taken to protect someone or something or to prevent something undesirable.

Usage examples:

The charity called for tougher safeguards to protect britain's remaining natural forests

verb

Protect from harm or damage with an appropriate measure.

Usage examples:

A framework which safeguards employees from exploitation

verb

To protect someone or something from harm or destruction

Usage examples:

Judges have an obligation to safeguard our right to free speech and a free press., the best safegua…

noun

A fixed or movable upright partition used to divide a room, give shelter from draughts, heat, or light, or to provide concealment or privacy.

Usage examples:

The special branch man remained hidden behind the screen for prosecution witnesses

verb

Conceal, protect, or shelter (someone or something) with a screen or something forming a screen.

Usage examples:

Her hair swung across to screen her face

noun

A flat surface in a theater, on a television, or on a computer system on which pictures or words are shown

Usage examples:

I spend most of the day working in front of a computer screen., her ambition is to write for the sc…

noun

The state of being free from danger or threat.

Usage examples:

The system is designed to provide maximum security against toxic spills

noun

Freedom from risk and the threat of change for the worse

Usage examples:

Financial/job security, for security reasons, for the protection of the white house and the preside…

noun

The protection of people, organizations, countries, etc. against a possible attack or other crime

Usage examples:

Border/homeland/national security, boost/improve/tighten security airport security has been tighten…

noun

A broad piece of metal or another suitable material, held by straps or a handle attached on one side, used as a protection against blows or missiles.

Usage examples:

Patrick whipped out his new shield and the shield defended against the blow.

verb

Protect from a danger, risk, or unpleasant experience.

Usage examples:

He pulled the cap lower to shield his eyes from the glare

verb

Armor carried on the arm to intercept blows

phrasal verb

Keep someone or something inside a place by closing something such as a door.

Usage examples:

Her parents shut her in an upstairs room

phrasal verb

To prevent someone or something from leaving a place, usually by closing or fastening a door or gate

Usage examples:

The cat was shut in the garage all night., he was so upset that he shut himself in his bedroom and …

phrasal verb

To catch part of your body or an object inside a device or container when it closes

Usage examples:

Steve was off work for a week after he shut his hand in the car door.

verb

Be all round (someone or something).

Usage examples:

The hotel is surrounded by its own gardens

noun

A thing that forms a border or edging round an object.

Usage examples:

An oak fireplace surround

verb

To be around something on all sides

Usage examples:

Snow-capped mountains surround the city., the house was surrounded by dense woods., i’m interested …

verb

Avoid making a decision or committing oneself in order to gain time.

Usage examples:

The opportunity was missed because the queen still temporized

noun

A device or enclosure designed to catch and retain animals, typically by allowing entry but not exit or by catching hold of a part of the body.

Usage examples:

The squirrels ravaged the saplings, despite the baited traps

verb

Short for trapdoor.

verb

Put trappings on (a horse).

Usage examples:

The horses were trapped with black velvet

noun

The state of being uncertain.

Usage examples:

Times of uncertainty and danger

noun

The feeling of not being sure what will happen in the future

Usage examples:

The rule changes are complicated and cause uncertainty for workers and headaches for employers., at…

noun

Lack of certainty or distinctness.

Usage examples:

Sue worries about the vagueness of the plans

noun

The quality of not being clearly expressed, known, described, or decided

Usage examples:

The main disadvantage of this definition is its vagueness., given the vagueness of the directions, …

noun

A thing, such as a row of trees or a fence, wall, or screen, that provides shelter or protection from the wind.

Usage examples:

But as you rise, the air becomes cooler and you find yourself in hanging river valleys where the mo…

noun

Something that gives protection from the wind, such as a row of trees, bushes, or a wall