Chapter Femeral to Feoff of F by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

of a fence roof." Holland. —

Fence time, the breeding time of fish or game, when they should not be killed. — Rail fence, a fence made of rails, sometimes supported by posts. — Ring fence, a fence which encircles a large area, or a whole estate, within one inclosure. — Worm fence, a zigzag fence composed of rails crossing one another at their ends; — called also snake fence, or Virginia rail fence. — To be on the fence, to be undecided or uncommitted in respect to two opposing parties or policies. [Colloq.]

Fence
(Fence), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fenced ; p. pr. & vb. n. Fencing ]

1. To fend off danger from; to give security to; to protect; to guard.

To fence my ear against thy sorceries.

Milton.

2. To inclose with a fence or other protection; to secure by an inclosure.

O thou wall! . . . dive in the earth,
And fence not Athens.

Shak.

A sheepcote fenced about with olive trees.

Shak.

To fence the tables (Scot. Church), to make a solemn address to those who present themselves to commune at the Lord's supper, on the feelings appropriate to the service, in order to hinder, so far as possible, those who are unworthy from approaching the table. McCheyne.

Fence
(Fence) v. i.

1. To make a defense; to guard one's self of anything, as against an attack; to give protection or security, as by a fence.

Vice is the more stubborn as well as the more dangerous evil, and therefore, in the first place, to be fenced against.

Locke.

2. To practice the art of attack and defense with the sword or with the foil, esp. with the smallsword, using the point only.

He will fence with his own shadow.

Shak.

3. Hence, to fight or dispute in the manner of fencers, that is, by thrusting, guarding, parrying, etc.

They fence and push, and, pushing, loudly roar;
Their dewlaps and their sides are bated in gore.

Dryden.

As when a billow, blown against,
Falls back, the voice with which I fenced
A little ceased, but recommenced.

Tennyson.

Fenceful
(Fence"ful) a. Affording defense; defensive. [Obs.] Congreve.

Fenceless
(Fence"less), a. Without a fence; uninclosed; open; unguarded; defenseless. Milton.

Fencer
(Fen"cer) n. One who fences; one who teaches or practices the art of fencing with sword or foil.

As blunt as the fencer's foils.

Shak.

Fenci-ble
(Fen"ci-ble) a. Capable of being defended, or of making or affording defense. [Obs.]

No fort so fencible, nor walls so strong.

Spenser.

Fencible
(Fen"ci*ble), n. (Mil.) A soldier enlisted for home service only; — usually in the pl.