n. [ Abbrev. from defence. ]
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 ]
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 ]
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 ]
Fence month (Forest Law),
Fence roof,
Fence time,
Rail fence,
Ring fence,
Worm fence,
To be on the fence,
v. t.
To fence my ear against thy sorceries. Milton. [ 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),
v. i.
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 ]
He will fence with his own shadow. Shak. [ 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 ]
n. (Mil.) A soldier enlisted for home service only; -- usually in the
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.