fence — ozdic

Collocations

11

1

(noun.)

ADJ

high | low

barbed-wire, chain-link, iron, mesh, metal, picket, wire, wooden

The old iron fence around the cemetery needed a fresh coat of black paint.

electric

boundary, garden, perimeter, security

The wooden boundary fence between the two properties had finally rotted away after many years.

political

Environmental protection is an issue that appeals to voters across the political fence.

VERB + FENCE

build, erect, put up | climb (over), jump (over)

FENCE + NOUN

post

PREP

over a/the ~

The farmer's dog jumped over the fence to chase the rabbit in the neighboring field.

~ around/round

The farmer built a wooden fence around his property to keep the cattle from escaping.

Definitions

noun

1

A thin artificial barrier that separates two pieces of land or forms a perimeter enclosing the lands of a house, building, etc.

There was a weak place in the fence separating the two inclosures

From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much. Those entering it are greeted by wire fences, walls dating back to colonial times and security posts. For mariners leaving the port after lonely nights on the high seas, the delights of the B52 Night Club and Stallion Pub lie a stumble away.

2

Someone who hides or buys and sells stolen goods, a criminal middleman for transactions of stolen goods.

The Bat—they called him the Bat.[…]. He'd never been in stir, the bulls had never mugged him, he didn't run with a mob, he played a lone hand, and fenced his stuff so that even the fence couldn't swear he knew his face.

The Finn was a fence, a trafficker in stolen goods, primarily in software. In the course of this business, he sometimes came into contact with other fences, some of whom dealt in the more traditional articles of the trade.

3

The place whence such a middleman operates.

4

Skill in oral debate.

5

The art or practice of fencing.

I bruised my shin th' other day with playing at sword and dagger with a master of fence

verb

1

To enclose, contain or separate by building fence.

[…] pray you, if you know, Where in the purlieus of this forest stands A sheep-cote fenc’d about with olive trees?

[…] O thou wall, That girdlest in those wolves, dive in the earth, And fence not Athens.

2

To defend or guard.

Cosin, our hands I hope shall fence our heads, And strike off his that makes you threaten vs.

[…] I have learn’t To fence my ear against thy sorceries.

3

To engage in the selling or buying of stolen goods.

The Bat—they called him the Bat.[…]. He'd never been in stir, the bulls had never mugged him, he didn't run with a mob, he played a lone hand, and fenced his stuff so that even the fence couldn't swear he knew his face.

4

To engage in the sport of fencing.

Challenges are flying right and left between these bully-swordsmen, these spadassinicides, and poor devils of the robe who have never learnt to fence with anything but a quill.

5

To jump over a fence.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

noun — a barrier that serves to enclose an area

fencing

verb — have an argument about something

verb — surround with a wall in order to fortify

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

fence in

To enclose with a fence.

If we fence in that field, it will be a good pasture for a horse.

the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence

Alternative form of the grass is always greener on the other side.

sit on the fence

To remain neutral on a certain topic, to not have a stance or opinion.

and Bloomah will sometimes sit on the fence, concerning whose discretion, the same thing may be said...

fence the tables

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.

January 19 1840, Robert Murray M'Cheyne, Memoirs Felt great help in fencing the tables

throw one's hat over the fence

To commit fully.

Example Bank

6

01

There was a weak place in the fence separating the two inclosures

Wiktionary

02

From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much. Those entering it are greeted by wire fences, walls dating back to colonial times and security posts. For mariners leaving the port after lonel

Wiktionary

03

The Bat—they called him the Bat.[…]. He'd never been in stir, the bulls had never mugged him, he didn't run with a mob, he played a lone hand, and fenced his stuff so that even the fence couldn't swea

Wiktionary

04

[…] pray you, if you know, Where in the purlieus of this forest stands A sheep-cote fenc’d about with olive trees?

Wiktionary

05

[…] O thou wall, That girdlest in those wolves, dive in the earth, And fence not Athens.

Wiktionary

06

Here are twenty acres of land, and it is all you can properly farm, unless you have more help than yourself. Now fence and cultivate it, and you can make an abundant living.

Wiktionary

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, fence is marked as informal, obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.