fen

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Fenced p. pr. & vb. n. Fencing ] 1. To fend off danger from; to give security to; to protect; to guard. [ 1913 Webster ]

To fence my ear against thy sorceries. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To inclose with a fence or other protection; to secure by an inclosure. [ 1913 Webster ]

O thou wall! . . . dive in the earth,
And fence not Athens. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

A sheepcote fenced about with olive trees. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Abbrev. from defence. ] 1. That which fends off attack or danger; a defense; a protection; a cover; security; shield. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let us be backed with God and with the seas,
Which he hath given for fence impregnable. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

A fence betwixt us and the victor's wrath. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Leaps o'er the fence with ease into the fold. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In England a hedge, ditch, or wall, as well as a structure of boards, palings, or rails, is called a fence. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Locks) A projection on the bolt, which passes through the tumbler gates in locking and unlocking. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Enjoy your dear wit, and gay rhetoric,
That hath so well been taught her dazzing fence. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Of dauntless courage and consummate skill in fence. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A receiver of stolen goods, or a place where they are received. [ Slang ] Mayhew. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fence month (Forest Law), the month in which female deer are fawning, when hunting is prohibited. Bullokar. --
Fence roof, a covering for defense. “They fitted their shields close to one another in manner of a fence roof.” Holland. --
Fence time, the breeding time of fish or game, when they should not be killed. --
Rail fence, a fence made of rails, sometimes supported by posts. --
Ring fence, a fence which encircles a large area, or a whole estate, within one inclosure. --
Worm fence, a zigzag fence composed of rails crossing one another at their ends; -- called also snake fence, or Virginia rail fence. --
To be on the fence, to be undecided or uncommitted in respect to two opposing parties or policies. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Vice is the more stubborn as well as the more dangerous evil, and therefore, in the first place, to be fenced against. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To practice the art of attack and defense with the sword or with the foil, esp. with the smallsword, using the point only. [ 1913 Webster ]

He will fence with his own shadow. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Hence, to fight or dispute in the manner of fencers, that is, by thrusting, guarding, parrying, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

They fence and push, and, pushing, loudly roar;
Their dewlaps and their sides are bat&unr_;ed in gore. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

As when a billow, blown against,
Falls back, the voice with which I fenced
A little ceased, but recommenced. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Affording defense; defensive. [ Obs. ] Congreve. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Without a fence; uninclosed; open; unguarded; defenseless. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who fences; one who teaches or practices the art of fencing with sword or foil. [ 1913 Webster ]

As blunt as the fencer's foils. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being defended, or of making or affording defense. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

No fort so fencible, nor walls so strong. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Mil.) A soldier enlisted for home service only; -- usually in the pl. [ 1913 Webster ]