fess
1or fesse
[ fes ]
nounHeraldry.
an ordinary in the form of a broad horizontal band across the middle of an escutcheon.
Origin of fess
1First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English fes(se), veece, fesshe, from Old French, ultimately from Latin fascia fascia
Other definitions for fess (2 of 3)
fess2
[ fes ]
Verb Phrases
fess up, Informal. to admit or concede, especially freely.
Origin of fess
2An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; shortening of confess
Other definitions for fess (3 of 3)
fess3
[ fes ]
nounChiefly South Midland and Southern U.S.
a teacher.
Origin of fess
3First recorded in 1905–10; shortening of professor
- Also fes·sor [fes-er] /ˈfɛs ər/ .
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for fess
fess
/ (fɛs) /
verb
(intr foll by up) informal, mainly US to make a confession
Origin of fess
1C19: shortened from confess
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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