hedge

Noun

• an intentionally noncommittal or ambiguous statement
  • when you say `maybe' you are just hedging
    

• any technique designed to reduce or eliminate financial risk; for example, taking two positions that will offset each other if prices change

• a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes

Verb

• minimize loss or risk
  • diversify your financial portfolio to hedge price risks
    
  • hedge your bets
    

• enclose or bound in with or as it with a hedge or hedges
  • hedge the property
    

• hinder or restrict with or as if with a hedge
  • The animals were hedged in
    

• avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
  • He dodged the issue
    
  • she skirted the problem
    
  • They tend to evade their responsibilities
    
  • he evaded the questions skillfully
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  hedging , hedgerow , hedge in