Definition

1. Noun:

   • A barrier enclosing an area: A structure serving as a boundary, barrier, or enclosure, typically made of posts, wire, wood, or metal.
   • A dealer in stolen goods: A person who knowingly buys and sells stolen property.
   • The art or sport of fencing: The skill, practice, or sport of fighting with swords (foils, épées, or sabres).

2. Verb:

   • To enclose or separate with a fence: To surround, divide, or protect an area by constructing a barrier.
   • To practice the sport of fencing: To fight with swords as a sport or skill.
   • To deal in stolen goods: To buy and sell stolen property.
   • To argue or debate skillfully: To engage in a clever or evasive argument or discussion.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The farmer built a wooden fence around the pasture.
  • The police arrested a known fence who was operating in the city.
  • She has been taking lessons in the art of the fence.

• Verb:

  • We need to fence the garden to keep the deer out.
  • He learned to fence at a prestigious athletic club.
  • The thief was trying to fence the stolen jewelry.
  • The politicians continued to fence over the details of the bill.

Advanced Usage

• "To sit on the fence": To remain neutral or undecided in a dispute or argument; to avoid taking sides.

  • You can't sit on the fence forever; you need to make a decision.

• "To mend one's fences": To try to improve or restore relations with someone after a disagreement.

  • After the argument, he called to apologize and mend his fences.

• "To fence something in": To enclose an area completely with a fence.

  • They fenced in the yard so their dog could run safely.

Variants and Related Words

• Fencing (n): The sport of fighting with blunted swords; also, materials used for making fences.

  • He won a gold medal in fencing.
  • We bought the fencing for the new project.

• Fencer (n): A person who practices or competes in the sport of fencing.

  • She is an accomplished fencer.

Synonyms

• Noun (Barrier): Barrier, enclosure, railing, hedge, wall.
• Verb (Enclose): Enclose, surround, encircle, bound, corral.
• Verb (Debate): Argue, debate, dispute, quibble, spar.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Fence in: To enclose an area with a fence.

  • They decided to fence in the swimming pool for safety.

• Fence off: To separate one area from another using a fence.

  • The construction site was fenced off from the public.

Related Idioms

• "Come down on the right side of the fence": To choose the winning or more advantageous side in a conflict.

  • He always manages to come down on the right side of the fence in political battles.

• "Fence with someone": To engage in a clever, evasive, or witty argument with someone.

  • The interviewer tried to get a straight answer, but the politician just fenced with him.

Noun

1. a dealer in stolen property
2. a barrier that serves to enclose an area

Verb

1. have an argument about something
2. surround with a wall in order to fortify
3. fight with fencing swords
4. receive stolen goods
5. enclose with a fence
   • we fenced in our yard