FENCE


Meaning of FENCE in English

n. & v.

--n.

1. a barrier or railing or other upright structure enclosing an area of ground, esp. to prevent or control access.

2 a large upright obstacle in steeplechasing or showjumping.

3 sl. a receiver of stolen goods.

4 a guard or guide in machinery.

--v.

1. tr. surround with or as with a fence.

2 tr. a (foll. by in, off) enclose or separate with or as with a fence. b (foll. by up) seal with or as with a fence.

3 tr. (foll. by from, against) screen, shield, protect.

4 tr. (foll. by out) exclude with or as with a fence; keep out.

5 tr. (also absol.) sl. deal in (stolen goods).

6 intr. practise the sport of fencing; use a sword.

7 intr. (foll. by with) evade answering (a person or question).

8 intr. (of a horse etc.) leap fences.

Phrases and idioms:

sit on the fence remain neutral or undecided in a dispute etc.

Derivatives:

fenceless adj. fencer n.

Etymology: ME f. DEFENCE

Oxford English vocab.      Оксфордский английский словарь.