Definition

Noun: A Virginia fence is a type of rail fence constructed in a continuous zigzag pattern. The rails interlock at the angles, providing stability without the need for posts set in the ground. It is also historically known as a "snake fence" or "worm fence."

Usage

The term is used to describe a specific, rustic style of fencing common in historical and rural settings. * They marked the old property line with a Virginia fence. * The historical farm featured a classic Virginia fence made of split rails.

Advanced Usage

• The Virginia fence is often cited as an example of early American pioneer ingenuity, using readily available materials without complex tools.
• In literature and historical descriptions, a Virginia fence can symbolize rural life, property boundaries, or the American frontier.

Variants and Related Words

• Snake fence: Another common name for a Virginia fence, emphasizing its winding, serpentine shape.
• Worm fence: A synonym for a Virginia fence, also describing its long, twisting form.
• Split-rail fence: A broader category of fence that includes the Virginia fence style; it refers to any fence made from timber split into rails.
• Zigzag fence: A descriptive term highlighting the fence's angular construction.

Synonyms

• Snake fence
• Worm fence
• Zigzag rail fence

Antonyms

• Straight fence
• Post-and-rail fence (specifically one with straight lines between vertical posts)

Related Phrases/Idioms

• "Crooked as a Virginia fence": An idiom used to describe something very uneven, twisted, or not straight, drawing a direct comparison to the fence's distinctive zigzag shape.
  • After the accident, the old bumper was crooked as a Virginia fence.

Noun

1. rail fence consisting of a zigzag of interlocking rails