fence, fencing
(noun) a barrier that serves to enclose an area
fence
(noun) a dealer in stolen property
argue, contend, debate, fence
(verb) have an argument about something
wall, palisade, fence, fence in, surround
(verb) surround with a wall in order to fortify
fence
(verb) fight with fencing swords
fence, fence in
(verb) enclose with a fence; “we fenced in our yard”
fence
(verb) receive stolen goods
Source: WordNet® 3.1
fence (countable and uncountable, plural fences)
A thin artificial barrier that separates two pieces of land or a house perimeter.
Someone who hides or buys and sells stolen goods, a criminal middleman for transactions of stolen goods.
The place whence such a middleman operates.
Skill in oral debate.
(obsolete, uncountable) The art or practice of fencing.
A guard or guide on machinery.
(figuratively) A barrier, for example an emotional barrier.
(computing, programming) A memory barrier.
• catch fence
• electric fence
• picket fence
fence (third-person singular simple present fences, present participle fencing, simple past and past participle fenced)
(transitive) To enclose, contain or separate by building fence.
(transitive) To defend or guard.
(transitive) To engage in the selling or buying of stolen goods.
(intransitive, sports) To engage in the sport of fencing.
(intransitive, equestrianism) To jump over a fence.
(intransitive) To conceal the truth by giving equivocal answers; to hedge; to be evasive.
• (to sell or buy stolen goods): pawn
Source: Wiktionary
Fence, n. Etym: [Abbrev. from defence.]
1. 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. Shak. A fence betwixt us and the victor's wrath. Addison.
2. 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. Milton.
Note: In England a hedge, ditch, or wall, as well as a structure of boards, palings, or rails, is called a fence.
3. (Locks)
Definition: A projection on the bolt, which passes through the tumbler gates in locking and unlocking.
4. 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. Milton. Of dauntless courage and consummate skill in fence. Macaulay.
5. A receiver of stolen goods, or a place where they are received. [Slang] Mayhew.
Fence, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fenced ( Fencing.]
1. To fend off danger from; to give security to; to protect; to guard. To fence my ear against thy sorceries. Milton.
2. To inclose with a fence or other protection; to secure by an inclosure. O thou wall! . . . dive in the earth, And fence not Athens. Shak. A sheepcote fenced about with olive trees. Shak. To fence the tables (Scot. Church), to make a solemn address to those who present themselves to commune at the Lord's supper, on the feelings appropriate to the service, in order to hinder, so far as possible, those who are unworthy from approaching the table. McCheyne.
Fence, v. i.
1. To make a defense; to guard one's self of anything, as against an attack; to give protection or security, as by a fence. Vice is the more stubborn as well as the more dangerous evil, and therefore, in the first place, to be fenced against. Locke.
2. To practice the art of attack and defense with the sword or with the foil, esp. with the smallsword, using the point only. He will fence with his own shadow. Shak.
3. Hence, to fight or dispute in the manner of fencers, that is, by thrusting, guarding, parrying, etc. They fence and push, and, pushing, loudly roar; Their dewlaps and their sides are batDryden. As when a billow, blown against, Falls back, the voice with which I fenced A little ceased, but recommenced. Tennyson.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
23 December 2024
(noun) Australian tree having hard white timber and glossy green leaves with white flowers followed by one-seeded glossy blue fruit
International Coffee Day (September 29) is an occasion to promote and celebrate coffee as a beverage, with events occurring in places across the world. A day to promote fair trade coffee and raise awareness for the coffee growers’ plight. Other countries celebrate this event on October 1.
