Hedge n. 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. "The roughest berry on the rudest hedge." "Through the verdant maze Of sweetbrier hedges I pursue my walk." Note: Hedge, when used adjectively or in composition, often means rustic, outlandish, illiterate, poor, or mean; as, hedge priest; hedgeborn, etc. Hedge bells, Hedge bindweed (Bot.), a climbing plant related to the morning-glory (Convolvulus sepium).
Hedge bill, a long-handled billhook.
Hedge garlic (Bot.), a plant of the genus Alliaria. See Garlic mustard, under Garlic. Hedge hyssop (Bot.), a bitter herb of the genus Gratiola, the leaves of which are emetic and purgative.
Hedge marriage, a secret or clandestine marriage, especially one performed by a hedge priest. (Eng.)
Hedge mustard (Bot.), a plant of the genus Sisymbrium, belonging to the Mustard family.
Hedge nettle (Bot.), an herb, or under shrub, of the genus Stachys, belonging to the Mint family. It has a nettlelike appearance, though quite harmless.
Hedge note. (a)The note of a hedge bird.
(b)Low, contemptible writing. (Obs.)
Hedge priest, a poor, illiterate priest.
Hedge school, an open-air school in the shelter of a hedge, in Ireland; a school for rustics.
Hedge sparrow (Zool.), a European warbler (Accentor modularis) which frequents hedges. Its color is reddish brown, and ash; the wing coverts are tipped with white. Called also chanter, hedge warbler, dunnock, and doney.
Hedge writer, an insignificant writer, or a writer of low, scurrilous stuff. (Obs.)
To breast up a hedge. See under Breast. To hang in the hedge, to be at a standstill. "While the business of money hangs in the hedge."
