I. noun
also fesse ˈfes
( plural fesses )
Etymology: Middle English fes, fesse, from Middle French faisse, fesse, from Latin fascia band — more at fascia
: a broad bar drawn horizontally across the middle of a heraldic field
•
- in fess
- per fess
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: short for confess
slang : confess , own — usually used with up
fess up to having put something over on me
fess up you're still carrying the torch for her — W.G.Smith
III. adjective
Etymology: perhaps alteration of fierce
1. dialect England : lively , smart
what a fess little bonfire — Thomas Hardy
2. dialect England : conceited , impudent