Hedge marriage

Hedge Hedge, n. [OE. hegge, AS. hecg; akin to haga an inclosure, E. haw, AS. hege hedge, E. haybote, D. hegge, OHG. hegga, G. hecke. [root]12. See {Haw} a hedge.] 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. [1913 Webster]

The roughest berry on the rudest hedge. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Through the verdant maze Of sweetbrier hedges I pursue my walk. --Thomson. [1913 Webster]

Note: Hedge, when used adjectively or in composition, often means rustic, outlandish, illiterate, poor, or mean; as, hedge priest; hedgeborn, etc. [1913 Webster]

{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.] --Dryden.

{Hedge priest}, a poor, illiterate priest. --Shak.

{Hedge school}, an open-air school in the shelter of a hedge, in Ireland; a school for rustics.

{Hedge sparrow} (Zo["o]l.), 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.] --Swift.

{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.'' --Pepys. [1913 Webster]