- a barrier enclosing or bordering a field, yard, etc., usually made of vertical posts connected with horizontal sections of sturdy material or materials, as wood, metal, vinyl, or wire, used to prevent entrance, to confine, or to mark a boundary: Our garden fence is not high enough to keep the deer out.
- a person who receives and disposes of stolen goods.
- the place of business of such a person.
- the act, practice, art, or sport of fencing.
- skill in argument, repartee, etc.
- a guard or guide, as for regulating the movements of a tool or work.
- a slotted guide used especially with a framing square to lay out cuts on rafters and staircase strings.
- a means of defense; a bulwark.
- to enclose by some barrier, establishing exclusive right to possession: to fence a farm.
- to separate by or as by a fence or fences (often followed by in, off, out, etc.): to fence off a corner of one's yard; to fence out unwholesome influences.
- to defend; protect; guard: The president was fenced by bodyguards wherever he went.
- to ward off; keep out.
- to sell (stolen goods) to a fence.
- to reinforce (an opening in a sail or the like) by sewing on a grommet or other device.
- to practice the art or sport of fencing.
- to parry arguments; strive to avoid giving direct answers; hedge: The mayor fenced when asked if he would run again.
- (of a horse) to leap over a fence.
- to raise a defense.
- to strengthen or reestablish one's position by conciliation or negotiation: One could tell by his superficially deferential manner that he was trying to mend his fences.
- uncommitted; neutral; undecided: The party leaders are still on the fence.
- a structure that serves to enclose an area such as a garden or field, usually made of posts of timber, concrete, or metal connected by wire, netting, rails, or boards
- a dealer in stolen property
- an obstacle for a horse to jump in steeplechasing or showjumping
- a guard or guide, esp in a circular saw or plane
- a projection usually fitted to the top surface of a sweptback aircraft wing to prevent movement of the airflow towards the wing tips
- mend one's fences
- to restore a position or reputation that has been damaged, esp in politics
- to re-establish friendly relations (with someone)
- unable or unwilling to commit oneself
- unreasonable, unfair, or unjust
- to be unable or unwilling to commit oneself
- to construct a fence on or around (a piece of land, etc)
- to close (in) or separate (off) with or as if with a fence
- to fight using swords or foils
- to evade a question or argument, esp by quibbling over minor points
- to engage in skilful or witty debate, repartee, etc
- to receive stolen property
- to ward off or keep out
