Sekirov Dictionary

fence

/fɛns/

noun 10
verb 6
forms 4
phrases 10

noun10

•
a thin wall of boards, posts or wire that runs along the edge of a field or a yard
- There was a weak place in the fence separating the two inclosures — 1865
A guard or guide on machinery.
A prohibition enacted to prevent violation of another more primary rule.
•
(figurative) A barrier, for example an emotional barrier.
- I was in your arms Thinking I belonged there I figured it made sense Building me a fence — 1980
(informal) Someone who hides or buys and sells stolen goods, a criminal middleman for transactions of stolen goods.
Skill in oral debate.
The place whence such a middleman operates.
The boundary.
A memory barrier.
•
(no longer used) The art or practice of fencing.
- I bruised my shin th' other day with playing at sword and dagger with a master of fence — 1599

verb6

•
To enclose, contain or separate by building fence.
- […] pray you, if you know, Where in the purlieus of this forest stands A sheep-cote fenc’d about with olive trees? — 1599
•
To engage in the sport of fencing (against).
- Challenges are flying right and left between these bully-swordsmen, these spadassinicides, and poor devils of the robe who have never learnt to fence with anything but a quill. — 1921
•
To conceal the truth by giving equivocal answers; to hedge; to be evasive.
- A lady, sir, as you will find, / Keeps counsel, or she speaks her mind, / Means what she says and scorns to fence / And palter with feigned innocence. — 1981
To engage in the selling or buying of stolen goods.
•
To defend or guard.
- Cosin, our hands I hope shall fence our heads, And strike off his that makes you threaten vs. — 1594
To jump over a fence.

forms

fenced · fencing · fences · fenceth

Phrases with fence

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