Hedge
/hɛdʒ/noun
A fence or boundary formed by a dense row of shrubs or low trees.
Did you know?In medieval England, hedges were not just boundaries but also believed to ward off evil spirits, creating a mystical space between the known and the unknown.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kʷet-
“to cut, to divide.”
Old English
Old English
hæcga
“A fence or boundary made of interwoven branches.”
Middle English
Middle English
hedge
“A protective boundary or enclosure, often used for livestock.”
14th Century
Middle English
hedge
“A living fence of shrubs or trees.”
Modern English
English
hedge
“A structure for enclosing, often associated with protection and delineation of space.”
Explore more surprising origins