请教个初级问题：Hedge这个词究竟什么意思？

我比较笨，经常看到或者听到这个词，总不理解，今天miat42又提到它，查了字典还是不懂

中文字典说，＂以保值措施避免损失；两面下注以防损失；＂

英文字典说，

to mitigate a possible loss by counterbalancing (one's bets, investments, etc.);

to prevent complete loss of a bet by betting an additional amount or amounts against the original bet;

Finance. to enter transactions that will protect against loss through a compensatory price movement.

我笨，还是不明白:-( 哪位好心给我解释解释？如果能举个例子就更好了。

多谢了！
_:$