fens n. & v. --n. 1 a
barrier or
railing or
other upright structure enclosing an
area of ground,
esp. to
prevent or
control access. 2 a
large upright
obstacle in steeplechasing or
showjumping. 3 sl. a
receiver of
stolen goods. 4 a
guard or
guide in
machinery. --v. 1 tr.
surround with or as with a fence. 2 tr. a (foll. by
in, off)
enclose or
separate with or as with a fence. b (foll. by up) seal with or as with a fence. 3 tr. (foll. by
from, against)
screen,
shield,
protect. 4 tr. (foll. by out)
exclude with or as with a fence;
keep out. 5 tr. (also absol.) sl. deal in (stolen goods). 6 intr.
practise the sport of
fencing;
use a
sword. 7 intr. (foll. by with)
evade answering (a
person or question). 8 intr. (of a
horse etc.)
leap fences. øsit on the fence
remain neutral or
undecided in a
dispute etc. øøfenceless adj. fencer n. [ME f. DEFENCE]