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fenced - 2 dictionary results
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fence

  [fens] noun, verb, fenced, fenc⋅ing.
Use fenced in a Sentence
–noun
1. a barrier enclosing or bordering a field, yard, etc., usually made of posts and wire or wood, used to prevent entrance, to confine, or to mark a boundary.
2. Informal. a person who receives and disposes of stolen goods.
3. the place of business of such a person.
4. the act, practice, art, or sport of fencing.
5. skill in argument, repartee, etc.
6. Machinery. a guard or guide, as for regulating the movements of a tool or work.
7. Carpentry. a slotted guide used esp. with a framing square to lay out cuts on rafters and staircase strings.
8. Archaic. a means of defense; a bulwark.
–verb (used with object)
9. to enclose by some barrier, establishing exclusive right to possession: to fence a farm.
10. to separate by or as by a fence or fences (often fol. by in, off, out, etc.): to fence off a corner of one's yard; to fence out unwholesome influences.
11. to defend; protect; guard: The president was fenced by bodyguards wherever he went.
12. to ward off; keep out.
13. Informal. to sell (stolen goods) to a fence.
14. Nautical. to reinforce (an opening in a sail or the like) by sewing on a grommet or other device.
–verb (used without object)
15. to practice the art or sport of fencing.
16. to parry arguments; strive to avoid giving direct answers; hedge: The mayor fenced when asked if he would run again.
17. (of a horse) to leap over a fence.
18. Obsolete. to raise a defense.
—Idioms
19. mend one's fences, to strengthen or reestablish one's position by conciliation or negotiation: One could tell by his superficially deferential manner that he was trying to mend his fences.
20. on the fence, uncommitted; neutral; undecided: The party leaders are still on the fence.
Origin:
1300–50; ME fens, aph. for defens defense

Related forms:
fencelike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To fenced
fence   (fěns)   
n.  
  1. A structure serving as an enclosure, a barrier, or a boundary, usually made of posts or stakes joined together by boards, wire, or rails.
  2. The art or sport of fencing.
    1. One who receives and sells stolen goods.
    2. A place where stolen goods are received and sold.
  4. Archaic A means of defense; a protection.
v.   fenced, fenc·ing, fenc·es

v.   tr.
  1. To enclose with or as if with a fence. See Synonyms at enclose.
  2. To separate or close off by or as if by means of a fence.
    1. To ward off; keep away.
    2. To defend.
  4. To sell (stolen goods) to a fence.
v.   intr.
  1. To practice the art or sport of fencing.
  2. To use tactics similar to the parry and thrust of fencing.
  3. To avoid giving direct answers; hedge.
  4. To act as a conduit for stolen goods.

[Middle English fens, short for defens, defense; see defense.]
fenc'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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