Born or raised in a hedge, or of low or illegitimate birth; used as an insult suggesting humble or base origins.
Compound from 'hedge' and 'born,' historically used as a derogatory term implying someone was born in poverty or shame, outside proper society.
In Shakespeare's time, calling someone 'hedgeborn' was a serious insult suggesting they were born in ditches or poverty—a class insult that reveals how harshly people judged poor origins.
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