fess

¹

[fes]

fess

²

Also fes·sor

[fes]

noun

Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S.

1. a teacher.

fess

³

Or fesse

[fes]

noun

Heraldry.

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

fess

/ fɛs /

verb

1. informal,  to make a confession

Word History and Origins

Origin of fess¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; shortening of confess

Origin of fess²

First recorded in 1905–10; shortening of professor

Origin of fess³

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of fess¹

C19: shortened from _confess

Example Sentences

“I couldn’t find anyone who would fess up to the fact that, ‘Yeah, we had that document in the files.’”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“He said, ‘Dad, I have to ‘fess up to you,’” Ladd recounted with a small laugh.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

By the time kids are asking directly, “Is Santa really real, or are you actually the one bringing the present?” it’s probably time to fess up, Mills said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Those who refused were sent to an administrator’s office to call their parents and fess up to breaking the rule.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Did she fess up to her IG handle?

Read more on Los Angeles Times