snake fence

American  

noun

1. a fence, zigzag in plan, made of rails resting across one another at an angle.

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Etymology

Origin of snake fence

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

snake fence

And though the old snake fence must fall, 'Twas easy made, axe, wedge and maul, Were all the tools the pioneer Required the old rail fence to rear.

From Poems of James McIntyre by McIntyre, James

Here, for the first time in Canada, I observed hedges of the Canadian thorn--a great improvement on the old snake fence of rough split timber which prevails all through the colony.

From Life in the Clearings versus the Bush by Moodie, Susanna

He climbed the snake fence into the woodland and splashed rapidly through the wet growth.

From The Heart of Arethusa by Fox, Frances Barton

‘I’m that beset I dunno where I’m standin’, for Miss Hardin’s been as crooked as a snake fence, an’ as contrairy as a yearlin’ colt, an’ the childern dew train awful.’

From A Princess in Calico by Black, Edith Ferguson

Here he found a rude but strong snake fence, at which he sniffed with wonder.

From The Watchers of the Trails A Book of Animal Life by Roberts, Charles George Douglas, Sir