fencible
Definition
- Noun (historical):
- A soldier liable only for home defense: In British history, a "fencible" referred to a soldier who was enlisted for service only within the home country, not for overseas duty. The term was used primarily during the 18th and 19th centuries for regiments raised for local protection.
Usage Examples
- (These soldiers were only required to serve within Britain, not abroad.)
- (They served as a home defense force rather than as part of the main army.)
Advanced Usage
"fencible corps": A specific military unit composed of fencibles.
- The Highland Fencible Corps was formed to protect Scotland from invasion. (A regiment of soldiers for local defense.)
"fencible service": The condition of being a fencible soldier.
- His fencible service lasted only until the threat of invasion passed. (His duty was limited to home defense and ended when the danger subsided.)
Variants and Related Words
- Fencible (adj): Relating to or characteristic of a fencible soldier.
- The fencible uniform was simpler than that of the regular army. (The clothing of home-defense soldiers.)
- Fencibility (n, rare): The quality of being fit for defense.
- The fortress’s fencibility was questioned after the attack. (Its ability to be defended.)
Synonyms
- Militiaman: a member of a military force raised for local defense.
- Home guard: a citizen soldier serving only within the home country.
- Territorial soldier: a soldier serving in a reserve unit for local defense.
Related Idioms
- "To be a fencible": To serve in a limited, defensive capacity.
- He was only a fencible, not a regular soldier, so he never saw combat overseas. (He was part of the home defense force.)
Historical Context
- The term "fencible" derives from "defensible" and was used in Britain, Ireland, and Canada. Fencible regiments were often disbanded when the immediate threat (e.g., French invasion) subsided. They were distinct from regular army troops, who could be deployed anywhere.