fence

English

/fɛns/

noun
Definitions
  • A thin artificial barrier that separates two pieces of land or a house perimeter.
  • Someone who hides or buys and sells stolen goods, a criminal middleman for transactions of stolen goods.
  • Skill in oral debate.
  • (obsolete) The art or practice of fencing.
  • A guard or guide on machinery.
  • (figuratively) A barrier, for example an emotional barrier.
  • (computing) A memory barrier.

Etymology

Derived from Middle French defens.

Origin

Middle French

defens

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms