fess

or fesse

[ fes ]

nounHeraldry.

an ordinary in the form of a broad horizontal band across the middle of an escutcheon.

Origin of fess

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English fes(se), veece, fesshe, from Old French, ultimately from Latin fascia fascia

Words Nearby fess

Other definitions for fess (2 of 3)

fess²

[ fes ]

Verb Phrases

fess up, Informal. to admit or concede, especially freely.

Origin of fess

An 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

First 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. 2023

How to use fess in a sentence

Yele Haiti did fess up to paying you $100,000 for a benefit concert in Monaco.
Wyclef Jean Talks Lauryn Hill, the Yele Haiti Controversy, and Chris Christie | Marlow Stern | November 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
In Britain, Prime Minister David Cameron asks British blokes to fess up about their fantasies—for the good of the children.
Britain’s Idiotic “Opt-In” Porn Ban | Brendan O’Neill | November 23, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
After initial denials, Quayle was eventually forced to fess up to composing the salacious posts.
Kate Upton’s Congressman Uncle and More Scandalous Political Ties | Ben Jacobs | February 15, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Yes, McGwire did finally fess up during an interview with Bob Costas in 2010.
Barry Bonds' Federal Steroids Case Was a Travesty | Buzz Bissinger | April 3, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
This makes the third date a natural moment to fess up about any contagious diseases.
Third-Date Confessions | Hannah Seligson | May 20, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST

Ensigned on the top as before all betwixt a decrescent and a star in fess or.
A Complete Guide to Heraldry | Arthur Charles Fox-Davies
That's easy enough to say, McLean; but ten to one you've got some snap picked out for you already, now 'fess up, ain't you?
The Strength of Gideon and Other Stories | Paul Laurence Dunbar
If wed done something perfectly mean and putrid Id say fess up and take the medicine, but we havent.
Left Half Harmon | Ralph Henry Barbour
I have seen an imperfect drawing of the arms, Party per fess, a goblet transpierced with a dagger.
Notes & Queries, No. 27. Saturday, May 4, 1850 | Various
Of course I thought that maybe Id ought to fess up that I wasnt meor, rather, youand let some one else kick.
The Turner Twins | Ralph Henry Barbour

British Dictionary definitions for fess

fess

/ (fɛs) /

verb

(intr foll by up) informal, mainly US to make a confession

Origin of fess

C19: 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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