Search the Dictionary

To aggregate of the fences put up for inclosure or protection; as, the fencing of a farm.

A conflict; contest; attempt; trial; a set-to at anything; as, a fencing bout; a drinking bout. The gentleman will, for his honor's sake, have one bout with you; he can not by the duello avoid it. Shak.

A thrust in fencing. To prove who gave the fairer butt, John shows the chalk on Robert's coat. Prior.

Act or skill in making defense; defensive plan or policy; practice in self defense, as in fencing, boxing, etc. A man of great defense. Spenser. By how much defense is better than no skill. Shak.

Space between two antagonists in fencing. Shak.

ade in the earth by digging, particularly a trench for draining wet land, for guarding or fencing inclosures, or for preventing an approach to a town or fortress. In the latter sense, it is called also a moat or a fosse.

A fencing, inclosing, or fortifying with stakes.

k on one part when another part is intended to be struck; -- said of certain movements in fencing, boxing, war, etc.

Self-defense by the use of the sword; the art and practice of fencing and sword play; hence, skill in debate and repartee. See Fencing. Enjoy your dear wit, and gay rhetoric, That hath so well been taught her dazzing fence. Milton. Of dauntless courage and consummate skill in fence. Macaulay.

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

A foil; a blunt sword used in fencing. [Obs.] Cotgrave.

A blunt weapon used in fencing, resembling a smallsword in the main, but usually lighter and having a button at the point. Blunt as the fencer's foils, which hit, but hurt not. Shak. socrates contended with a foil against Demosthenes with a word. Mitford.

A pass in fencing; a lunge. [Obs.] Shak.

Thrusting with the foil; fencing with the point, as distinguished from broadsword play. [Obs.] Marston.

Swordplay; fencing; gladiatorial contest. Gayton.

A posture of defense in fencing, and in bayonet and saber exercise.

A confined place for cattle, formed by hedges. trees, or other fencing, near the farmyard. Lobby member, a lobbyist. [Humorous cant, U. S.]

or plead in a supposed case. There is a difference between mooting and pleading; between fencing and fighting. B. Jonson.

or slat, either driven into the ground, or fastened to a rail at the top and bottom, for fencing or inclosing; a picket. Deer creep through when a pale tumbles down. Mortimer.

A term applied to the point in fencing. Farrow.