fencing

[ fen-sing ]

/ ˈfɛn sɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fencing ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the art, practice, or sport in which an épée, foil, or saber is used for defense and attack.

a parrying of arguments; avoidance of direct answers: political fencing on important issues.

an enclosure or railing.

fences collectively.

material for fences.

RELATED WORDS

swordplay

Nearby words

Origin of fencing

1425–75; late Middle English fensing safeguarding, maintenance. See fence, -ing¹

Definition for fencing (2 of 2)

fence

[ fens ]

/ fɛns /

noun

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.

verb (used with object), fenced, fenc·ing.

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.

verb (used without object), fenced, fenc·ing.

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.

Origin of fence

1300–50; Middle English fens, aphetic for defens defense

Related forms

fence·like, adjectiveout·fence, verb (used with object), out·fenced, out·fenc·ing.re·fence, verb (used with object), re·fenced, re·fenc·ing.un·fence, verb (used with object), un·fenced, un·fenc·ing.

well-fenced, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for fencing

The process of installing the fencing began a few weeks ago, and is now about halfway through.
This Cairo College Campus Is Now a 'Warzone'|Jonathan Krohn|February 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It wiped out the entirety of the 1975 national Cuban fencing team.
A Brief History of Toothpaste Bombs|Brian Ries|February 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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 More|Junheng Li|November 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Where resources have been invested in fencing and manpower, the number of illegal border crossings drops dramatically.
Republicans Must Engage the Tough Politics of Illegal Immigration|Stuart Stevens|June 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST

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 Afghanistan|Michael Daly|December 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
One evening—I quite forget how it came about—we found ourselves talking about fencing.
Secrets of the Sword|Csar Lecat de Bazancourt
I had some stock and they was fencing up everything over there.
Slave Narratives: Arkansas Narratives|Work Projects Administration
It was Leigh who kicked up a fuss about that mob of cattle that broke the fencing down.
The Sweep Winner|Nat Gould
They are enlarging their farms yearly,—improving much in fencing, etc.
A History of Oregon, 1792-1849|William Henry Gray
In the arts of fencing and dancing, small indeed was my proficiency; and some months were idly wasted in the riding-school.
Memoirs of My Life and Writings|Edward Gibbon

British Dictionary definitions for fencing (1 of 2)

fencing

/ (ˈfɛnsɪŋ) /

noun

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

British Dictionary definitions for fencing (2 of 2)

fence

/ (fɛns) /

noun

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 Canadian to 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

verb

(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

Derived Formsfenceless, adjectivefencelike, adjective

Word Origin for fence

C14 fens, shortened from defens defence

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

Word Origin and History for fencing (1 of 3)

fencing

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.

Word Origin and History for fencing (1 of 3)

fence

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].

Word Origin and History for fencing (2 of 3)

fence

mid-15c., "surround with a fence;" c.1500, "defend, screen, protect;" 1590s, "fight with swords;" the last from the noun in this sense (1530s); see fence (n.). Related: Fenced, fencing.

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