fence
A2Meanings
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1
verb
enclose with a fence
we fenced in our yard
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2
noun
A thin artificial barrier that separates two pieces of land or forms a perimeter enclosing the lands of a house, building, etc.
There was a weak place in the fence separating the two inclosures
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3
noun
Someone who hides or buys and sells stolen goods, a criminal middleman for transactions of stolen goods.
The Bat—they called him the Bat.[…]. He'd never been in stir, the bulls had never mugged him, he didn't run with a mob, he played a lone hand, and fenced his stuff so that even the fence couldn't swear he knew his face.
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4
noun
The art or practice of fencing.
I bruised my shin th' other day with playing at sword and dagger with a master of fence
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5
noun
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
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6
verb
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?
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7
verb
To defend or guard.
Cosin, our hands I hope shall fence our heads, And strike off his that makes you threaten vs.
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8
verb
To engage in the selling or buying of stolen goods.
The Bat—they called him the Bat.[…]. He'd never been in stir, the bulls had never mugged him, he didn't run with a mob, he played a lone hand, and fenced his stuff so that even the fence couldn't swear he knew his face.
Etymology
From Middle English fence, fens, short for defence, defens (“the act of defending”), from Old French defens, defense (see defence). The sense "enclosure" arises in the mid 15th century. Also from the 15th century is use as a verb in the sense "to enclose with a fence". The generalized sense "to defend, screen, protect" arises ca. 1500. The sense "to fight with swords (rapiers)" is from the 1590s (Shakespeare). Displaced native Old English heġe (compare Modern English hedge).
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