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r; security; shield. Let us be backed with God and with the seas, Which he hath given for fence impregnable. Shak. A fence betwixt us and the victor's wrath. Addison.

the month in which female deer are fawning, when hunting is prohibited. Bullokar. -- Fence roof, a covering for defense. "They fitted their shields close to one another in manner of a fence roof." Holland. Fence time, the breeding time of fish or game, when they should not be killed. -- Rail fence, a fence made of ra…

Affording defense; defensive. [Obs.] Congreve.

Without a fence; uninclosed; open; unguarded; defenseless. Milton.

One who fences; one who teaches or practices the art of fencing with sword or foil. As blunt as the fencer's foils. Shak.

See Defense.

The act of defending, or the state of being defended; protection, as from violence or danger. In cases of defense 't is best to weigh The enemy more mighty than he seems. Shak.

A tropical leguminous bush (Poinciana, or Cæsalpinia, pulcherrima) with prickly branches, and showy yellow or red flowers; -- so named from its having been sometimes used for hedges in the West Indies. Baird.

Defense in front. [Obs.]

See Offense.

The act of offending in any sense; esp., a crime or a sin, an affront or an injury. Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification. Rom. iv. 25. I have given my opinion against the authority of two great men, but I hope without offense to their memories. Dryden.

See Self-defense.

To strip of a fence; to remove a fence from.

A sunk fence. See Ha-ha. Mason.

In baseball, a fence, prop. at least 90 feet behind the home base, to stop the balls that pass the catcher; also, the catcher himself.

er purposes, but especially for a hindrance, obstruction, or fastening; as, the bars of a fence or gate; the bar of a door. Thou shalt make bars of shittim wood. Ex. xxvi. 26.

e, a wire, or a strand of twisted wires, armed with barbs or sharp points. It is used for fences.

A fence or railing to mark the limits of a place, or to keep back a crowd. No sooner were the barriers opened, than he paced into the lists. Sir W. Scott.

A flat surface, as of a panel or of a fence, on which bills are posted; a bulletin board.

A fencer's foil. [Obs.]