Etymology : Middle English fens, short for defens defense
Pronunciation : 'fen(t)s
Function : noun
Date : 14th century
1. railing; hedge; sport of fencing; ability to argue; one who sells stolen goods; vertical obstacle in show jumping (Sports). enclose within a fence or other barrier; separate with a fence or other barrier; protect, guard; fight with swords; practice the sport of fencing; evade a question, respond in a vague manner; sell stolen goods; receive stolen goods. fence\fence\ , n. [abbrev. from defence.].
2. that which fends off attack or danger; a defense; a protection; a cover; security; shield. let us be backed with god and with the seas, which he hath given for fence impregnable. a fence betwixt us and the victor's wrath.
3. an inclosure about a field or other space, or about any object; especially, an inclosing structure of wood, iron, or other material, intended to prevent intrusion from without or straying from within. leaps o'er the fence with ease into the fold.note: in england a hedge, ditch, or wall, as well as a structure of boards, palings, or rails, is called a fence.
4. (locks) a projection on the bolt, which passes through the tumbler gates in locking and unlocking.
5. self-defense by the use of the sword; the art and practice of fencing and sword play; hence, skill in debate and repartee. see:
fencing. enjoy your dear wit, and gay rhetoric, that hath so well been taught her dazzing fence. of dauntless courage and consummate skill in fence.
6. a receiver of stolen goods, or a place where they are received. [slang] hew.fence month (forest law), the month in which female deer are fawning, when hunting is prohibited.fence roof, a covering for defense. "they fitted their shields close to one another in manner of a fence roof."fence time, the breeding time of fish or game, when they should not be killed.
7. That which fends off attack or danger; a defense; a protection; a cover; security; shield.
8. An inclosure about a field or other space, or about any object; especially, an inclosing structure of wood, iron, or other material, intended to prevent intrusion from without or straying from within.
9. A projection on the bolt, which passes through the tumbler gates in locking and unlocking.
10. Self-defense by the use of the sword; the art and practice of fencing and sword play; hence, skill in debate and repartee.
11. See Fencing.
12. A receiver of stolen goods, or a place where they are received.
13. To fend off danger from; to give security to; to protect; to guard.
14. To inclose with a fence or other protection; to secure by an inclosure.
15. To make a defense; to guard one's self of anything, as against an attack; to give protection or security, as by a fence.
16. To practice the art of attack and defense with the sword or with the foil, esp. with the smallsword, using the point only.
17. Hence, to fight or dispute in the manner of fencers, that is, by thrusting, guarding, parrying, etc. a barrier that serves to enclose an area a dealer in stolen property fight with fencing swords enclose with a fence; "we fenced in our yard" receive stolen goods.
18. 1. A fence is a barrier between two areas of land, made of wood or wire supported by posts. Villagers say the fence would restrict public access to the hills.
19. If you fence an area of land, you surround it with a fence. The first task was to fence the wood to exclude sheep Thomas was playing in a little fenced area full of sand.
20. A fence in show jumping or horse racing is an obstacle or barrier that horses have to jump over.
21. If one country tries to mend fences with another, it tries to end a disagreement or quarrel with the other country. You can also say that two countries mend fences. Washington was last night doing its best to mend fences with the Europeans, saying it understood their concerns.
22. If you sit on the fence, you avoid supporting a particular side in a discussion or argument. They are sitting on the fence and refusing to commit themselves.