FENCE


Meaning of FENCE in English

■ noun

1》 a barrier enclosing an area, typically consisting of posts connected by wire, wood, etc.

↘a large upright obstacle in steeplechasing, showjumping, or cross-country.

2》 a guard or guide on a plane or other tool.

3》 informal a dealer in stolen goods.

■ verb

1》 surround or protect with a ~.

↘( ~ something in/off ) enclose or separate an area with a ~.

2》 informal deal in (stolen goods).

3》 practise the sport of fencing.

↘conduct a discussion or argument in an evasive way.

Phrases

over the ~ Austral./NZ informal unreasonable or unacceptable.

sit on the ~ avoid making a decision.

Derivatives

~less adjective

~r noun

Origin

ME (in the sense 'de~'): shortening of de~ ; cf. fencible and fend .

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.