FENCING • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Fencing

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

/fˈɛnsɪŋ/ Listen

noun

Fencing n.

1.

The art or practice of attack and defense with the sword, esp. with the smallsword. See Fence, v. i., 2.

2.

Disputing or debating in a manner resembling the art of fencers.

3.

The materials used for building fences. (U.S.)

4.

The act of building a fence.

5.

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

verb

Fence v. t. (past & past part. fenced; pres. part. fencing)

1.

To fend off danger from; to give security to; to protect; to guard. "To fence my ear against thy sorceries."

2.

To inclose with a fence or other protection; to secure by an inclosure. "O thou wall!... dive in the earth, And fence not Athens." "A sheepcote fenced about with olive trees."

To fence the tables (Scot. Church), 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.

Fence v. i.

1.

To make a defense; to guard one's self of anything, as against an attack; to give protection or security, as by a fence. "Vice is the more stubborn as well as the more dangerous evil, and therefore, in the first place, to be fenced against."

2.

To practice the art of attack and defense with the sword or with the foil, esp. with the smallsword, using the point only. "He will fence with his own shadow."

3.

Hence, to fight or dispute in the manner of fencers, that is, by thrusting, guarding, parrying, etc. "As when a billow, blown against, Falls back, the voice with which I fenced A little ceased, but recommenced."

See images of 'Fencing'

Etymology of 'Fencing'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

"Fencing" Quotes from Famous Books

... everything. There wasn't a gentleman in the country had better outbuildings of all sorts. It was a real tip-top place, good enough for the Governor himself if he came to live up the country. All the old fencing had been knocked down, and new railings and everything put up. Some of the scraggy trees had been cleared away, and all the dead wood burned. I never thought the old place could have showed out the way it did. But money can do a lot. It ain't everything in this world. But there's ...

— Robbery Under Arms • Thomas Alexander Browne, AKA Rolf Boldrewood

... the fine things which Mr. Warrington now possessed, let alone the horses and the postchaise which his honour had bought. Also Harry instructed himself in the arts which became a gentleman in those days. A French fencing-master, and a dancing-master of the same nation, resided at Tunbridge during that season when Harry made his appearance: these men of science the young Virginian sedulously frequented, and acquired considerable skill and grace in the ...

— The Virginians • William Makepeace Thackeray

... orthodox church! One end was bare, and the other carpeted with great Persian rugs, had huge divans spread about; there was an electric piano and an organ, and there were also crossed foils, and masks, and everything for a fencing bout. ...

— His Hour • Elinor Glyn

... humblest person, that they are mistaken. The first rule of philosophy is, Know thyself; and the further one advances, the lower opinion one should have of himself, the more one should realize what there remains to be learned. But you make philosophy into a kind of fencing, and consider a man a philosopher if he can warp the truth by subtle distinctions and talk himself out of any opinion; in so doing you incur hatred and bring contempt upon learning, for people imagine that your extraordinary manners ...

— Comedies • Ludvig Holberg

... farmers by origin and sportsmen by practice, they will make a rare household body of men. They are nearly all first-class shots, and I am having them practise with revolvers. They are being taught fencing and broadsword and ju-jitsu; I have organized them in military form, with their own sergeants and corporals. This morning I had an inspection, and I assure you, my dear, they could give points to the Household troop in matters ...

— The Lady of the Shroud • Bram Stoker

Copyright © 2025 e-Free Translation.com