Part 101

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.

Shak.

3. Hence, to fight or dispute in the manner of fencers, that is, by thrusting, guarding, parrying, etc.

They fence and push, and, pushing, loudly roar; Their dewlaps and their sides are bat&?;ed in gore.

Dryden.

As when a billow, blown against, Falls back, the voice with which I fenced A little ceased, but recommenced.

Tennyson.

Fence"ful (?), a. Affording defense; defensive. [Obs.] Congreve.

Fence"less, a. Without a fence; uninclosed; open; unguarded; defenseless. Milton.

Fen"cer (?), n. One who fences; one who teaches or practices the art of fencing with sword or foil.

As blunt as the fencer's foils.

Shak.

Fen"ci-ble (?), a. Capable of being defended, or of making or affording defense. [Obs.]

No fort so fencible, nor walls so strong.

Spenser.

Fen"ci*ble, n. (Mil.) A soldier enlisted for home service only; -- usually in the pl.

Fen"cing (?), 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. Shak.

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.

Fen" crick`et (?). (Zoˆl.) The mole cricket. [Prov. Eng.]

Fend (?), n. A fiend. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fend (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fended; p. pr. & vb. n. Fending.] [Abbrev. fr. defend.] To keep off; to prevent from entering or hitting; to ward off; to shut out; -- often with off; as, to fend off blows.

With fern beneath to fend the bitter cold.

Dryden.

To fend off a boat or vessel (Naut.), to prevent its running against anything with too much violence.