n (1)树篱(line of bushes，etc planted so closely together that their branches form a solid mass grown round the edges of gardens，fields，etc)[C]：plant a privet/yew/beech～around the garden 在花园周围种上水腊树/紫杉树/山毛榉树篱;〖同〗fence;

(2)防备损失的手段(sth which protects(a person) from possible loss，damage，criticism，etc)[C][N(against)]：buy a lot of gold coins/a house/some gold as a～against inflation购买大量的金币/一座房子/一些金子以防通货膨胀;A savings account is a～against misfortune. 将积蓄存在银行可防不测。

v (1)用树篱围住(隔开)(enclose (an area of land) with a hedge)[T+n]：～a garden/a yard 用树篱围住花园/院子;～off part of the garden 用树篱将花园的一部分分隔开;

(2)闪烁其词，避免直接回答(avoid giving a clear answer to a question，or refuse to answer directly)[I]：stop～ing! 不要含糊其词!There's no point in asking him—he always～s. 问他没用，他总是闪烁其词。You're～ing again. 你又在回避问题。

hedge one's bets 脚踏两只船;骑墙：I'm not certain about which job I'll get so I'll～my bets and apply for both.我没把握应选哪份工作，所以我将申请两份工作，以保万无一失。

hedge about/around (with)(v adv)限制(vt)：His life was～d about with petty regulations.他的生活受到种种清规戒律的限制。

→′hedge-hog n 刺猬;′hedge-hop v 掠地(极低空)飞行;′hedgerow n(一排)灌木树篱;′hedge-sparrow n 篱雀