fencing
Origin of fencing
fence
- 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.
- Informal. a person who receives and disposes of stolen goods.
- the place of business of such a person.
- the act, practice, art, or sport of fencing.
- skill in argument, repartee, etc.
- Machinery. a guard or guide, as for regulating the movements of a tool or work.
- Carpentry. a slotted guide used especially with a framing square to lay out cuts on rafters and staircase strings.
- Archaic. a means of defense; a bulwark.
- to enclose by some barrier, establishing exclusive right to possession: to fence a farm.
- to separate by or as by a fence or fences (often followed by in, off, out, etc.): to fence off a corner of one's yard; to fence out unwholesome influences.
- to defend; protect; guard: The president was fenced by bodyguards wherever he went.
- to ward off; keep out.
- Informal. to sell (stolen goods) to a fence.
- Nautical. to reinforce (an opening in a sail or the like) by sewing on a grommet or other device.
- to practice the art or sport of fencing.
- to parry arguments; strive to avoid giving direct answers; hedge: The mayor fenced when asked if he would run again.
- (of a horse) to leap over a fence.
- Obsolete. to raise a defense.
- 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.
- on the fence, uncommitted; neutral; undecided: The party leaders are still on the fence.
Origin of fence
Related Words
swordplayExamples from the Web for fencing
Contemporary Examples
The process of installing the fencing began a few weeks ago, and is now about halfway through.
It wiped out the entirety of the 1975 national Cuban fencing team.
However, its only teams to win gold were in gymnastics and fencing, both intensely solo sports.
China’s Schools Teaches Kids to Take Tests, Obey the State, and Not Much MoreJunheng Li
November 30, 2013
Where resources have been invested in fencing and manpower, the number of illegal border crossings drops dramatically.
He had gone on to run track at Watchung High School in Warren, N.J., and to become ranked 21st nationally in fencing.
Nicolas Checque Slaying Part of Terrible Month for Navy SEALs in AfghanistanMichael Daly
December 12, 2012
Historical Examples
"As you say, the time for fencing is over," pursued Kingozi.
The Leopard WomanStewart Edward White
He now took lessons on the piano, and in geography, fencing, and dancing.
He was no match for Csar in worldly logic, or at fencing with texts of Scripture.
The ManxmanHall Caine
That virtue applied to fencing should all but revolutionize the art.
ScaramoucheRafael Sabatini
The cow was bought, the horse, the chickens, the wire for fencing.
Wild Justice: Stories of the South SeasLloyd Osbourne
fencing
- the practice, art, or sport of fighting with swords, esp the sport of using foils, épées, or sabres under a set of rules to score points
- wire, stakes, etc, used as fences
- fences collectively
- skilful or witty debate
- the avoidance of direct answers; evasiveness
- slang the business of buying and selling stolen property
fence
- a structure that serves to enclose an area such as a garden or field, usually made of posts of timber, concrete, or metal connected by wire, netting, rails, or boards
- slang a dealer in stolen property
- an obstacle for a horse to jump in steeplechasing or showjumping
- machinery a guard or guide, esp in a circular saw or plane
- a projection usually fitted to the top surface of a sweptback aircraft wing to prevent movement of the airflow towards the wing tips
- mend one's fences
- mainly US and Canadianto restore a position or reputation that has been damaged, esp in politics
- to re-establish friendly relations (with someone)
- on the fence unable or unwilling to commit oneself
- over the fence Australian and NZ informal unreasonable, unfair, or unjust
- sit on the fence to be unable or unwilling to commit oneself
- (tr) to construct a fence on or around (a piece of land, etc)
- (tr; foll by in or off) to close (in) or separate (off) with or as if with a fencehe fenced in the livestock
- (intr) to fight using swords or foils
- (intr) to evade a question or argument, esp by quibbling over minor points
- (intr) to engage in skilful or witty debate, repartee, etc
- (intr) slang to receive stolen property
- (tr) archaic to ward off or keep out
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for fencing
n.
mid-15c., "defending, act of protecting;" 1580s in the sword-fighting sense; noun from present participle of fence (v.). In spite of the re-enactment in 1285 of the Assize of Arms of 1181, fencing was regarded as unlawful in England. The keeping of fencing schools was forbidden in the City of London, "as fools who delight in mischief do learn to fence with buckler, and thereby are encouraged in their follies." Meaning "putting up fences" is from 1620s; that of "an enclosure" is from 1580s; meaning "receiving stolen goods" is from 1851 (see fence (n.)); meaning "materials for an enclosure" is from 1856.
fence
n.
early 14c., "action of defending," shortening of defens (see defense). Spelling alternated between -c- and -s- in Middle English. Sense of "enclosure" is first recorded mid-15c. on notion of "that which serves as a defense." Sense of "dealer in stolen goods" is thieves' slang, first attested c.1700, from notion of such transactions taking place under defense of secrecy. To be figuratively on the fence "uncommitted" is from 1828, perhaps from the notion of spectators at a fight, or a simple literal image: "A man sitting on the top of a fence, can jump down on either side with equal facility." [Bartlett, "Dictionary of Americanisms," 1848].
fence
Idioms and Phrases with fencing
fence
In addition to the idioms beginning with fence
- fence in
- fence with
also see:
- mend one's fences
- on the fence
- straddle the fence