fenceless

Variant of fence

noun

  1. Obsolete a protection; defense
  2. a barrier, as of wooden or metal posts, rails, wire mesh, etc., used as a boundary or means of protection or confinement
  3. the art of self-defense with foil, saber, or epee; fencing
    1. a person who deals in stolen goods
    2. a place where stolen goods are bought and sold

Origin: ME fens, aphetic for defens, defense

transitive verb fenced, fencing

  1. to enclose, restrict, or hamper with or as with a fence: with in, off, etc.
  2. to keep (out) by or as by a fence
  3. Archaic to ward off; protect; defend
  4. to sell (stolen property) to a fence

intransitive verb

  1. to practice the art of fencing
  2. to avoid giving a direct reply; be evasive (with); parry
  3. to deal in stolen goods

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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