a variable quantity that can be resolved into components
any agent (person or animal or microorganism) that carries and transmits a disease; "mosquitos are vectors of malaria and yellow fever"; "fleas are vectors of the plague"; "aphids are transmitters of plant diseases"; "when medical scientists talk about vectors they are usually talking about insects"
a straight line segment whose length is magnitude and whose orientation in space is direction
a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes
an intentionally noncommittal or ambiguous statement; "when you say `maybe' you are just hedging"
any technique designed to reduce or eliminate financial risk; for example, taking two positions that will offset each other if prices change
minimize loss or risk; "diversify your financial portfolio to hedge price risks"; "hedge your bets"
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues); "He dodged the issue"; "she skirted the problem"; "They tend to evade their responsibilities"; "he evaded the questions skillfully"
enclose or bound in with or as it with a hedge or hedges; "hedge the property"
hinder or restrict with or as if with a hedge; "The animals were hedged in"
primary social group; parents and children; "he wanted to have a good job before starting a family"
people descended from a common ancestor; "his family has lived in Massachusetts since the Mayflower"
a social unit living together; "he moved his family to Virginia"; "It was a good Christian household"; "I waited until the whole house was asleep"; "the teacher asked how many people made up his home"
(biology) a taxonomic group containing one or more genera; "sharks belong to the fish family"
an association of people who share common beliefs or activities; "the message was addressed not just to employees but to every member of the company family"; "the church welcomed new members into its fellowship"