fence

 
Pronunciation: /fɛns/

noun

  • 1a barrier, railing, or other upright structure, typically of wood or wire, enclosing an area of ground to prevent or control access or escape.
  • a large upright obstacle in steeplechasing, showjumping, or cross-country.
  • 2a guard or guide on a plane, saw, or other tool.
  • 3 informal a person who deals in stolen goods.

verb

[with object]
  • 1surround or protect with a fence: our garden was not fully fenced
  • (fence something in/off) enclose or separate an area with a fence: a small plantation of young trees had been fenced off
  • (fence someone/thing out) use a barrier to exclude someone or something: walkers may find themselves fenced out of the moor
  • 2 informal buy or sell (stolen goods): after stealing your ring, he didn’t even know how to fence it
  • 3 [no object] engage in the sport of fencing.
  • conduct a discussion or argument in an evasive way: twelve months of fencing with McLaren had taken a toll his nerves

Phrases

mend (one's) fences

see mend

over the fence

Australian/NZ informal unreasonable or unacceptable.

side of the fence

used to refer to either of the opposing positions or interests involved in a particular situation: whatever side of the fence you are on, the debate on conventional versus organic farming is not going to disappear

sit on the fence

avoid making a decision or choice.

Derivatives

fenceless

adjective

fencer

noun

Origin:

Middle English (in the sense 'defending, defence'): shortening of defence. Compare with fencible and fend