worm fence

noun

1. Chiefly Midland U.S.,  snake fence.

Word History and Origins

Origin of worm fence¹

An Americanism dating back to 1645–55

Example Sentences

This worm fence secured to the nature lover and to wild life a strip of land eight or ten feet wide, whereon plant, bird, beast, reptile, and insect flourished and reproduced.

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With only the worm fence and its rough clothing of wild vines and briers between them, the women met face to face.

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The same effect was further aided and preserved by the cumbrous and unseemly worm fence that shot forth its stiff angles around the tract.

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And every man simultaneously drops his traps where he stands, and makes a bee-line for the tall worm fences, which are vanishing in every direction, as if by magic.

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Meanwhile Si had strolled over a little ways to where an old worm fence had stood when the regiment went into camp.

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