fess

¹ American  

[fes] / fɛs /

Also fessor

noun

Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S.

1. a teacher.

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fess ² American  

[fes] / fɛs /

verb phrase

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

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fess ³ American  

[fes] / fɛs /

Or fesse

noun

Heraldry.

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

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fess British  

/ fɛs /

verb

1. informal  to make a confession

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Etymology

Origin of fess¹

First recorded in 1905–10; shortening of professor

Origin of fess¹

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

Origin of fess¹

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

Example Sentences

Mr. Sheeran fesses up to one while aboard a double-decker bus carrying out-of-town tourists.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From 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.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times