This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
fess
1or fesse
[ fes ]
/ fɛs /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun Heraldry.
an ordinary in the form of a broad horizontal band across the middle of an escutcheon.
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.
Question 1 of 7
“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
Origin of fess
1First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English fes(se), veece, fesshe, from Old French, ultimately from Latin fascia fascia
Words nearby fess
fervour, Fès, fescennine, fescue, fescue foot, fess, fesse, Fessenden, fesse point, fess point, fest
Other definitions for fess (2 of 3)
fess2
[ fes ]
/ fɛs /
Verb Phrases
fess up, Informal. to admit or concede, especially freely.
Origin of fess
2An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; shortening of confess
Other definitions for fess (3 of 3)
fess3
[ fes ]
/ fɛs /
noun Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S.
a teacher.
Also fes·sor [fes-er] /ˈfɛs ər/ .
Origin of fess
3First recorded in 1905–10; shortening of professor
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use fess in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for fess
fess
/ (fɛs) /
verb
(intr foll by up) informal, mainly US to make a confession
Word Origin for 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