Part 4242

<h1>Femoral</h1> <Xpage=551>

<hw>Fem"o*ral</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>femur</ets>, <ets>femoris</ets>, thigh: cf. F. <ets>f\'82moral</ets>.]</ety> <def>Pertaining to the femur or thigh; <as>as, the <ex>femoral</ex> artery</as>.</def> "<i>Femoral</i> habiliments." <i>Sir W. Scott.</i>

<h1>Femur</h1> <Xpage=551>

<hw>Fe"mur</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt>; <plu>pl. <plw>Femora</plw> <tt>(<?/)</tt></plu>. <ety>[L. thigh.]</ety> <fld>(Anat.)</fld> <sd>(a)</sd> <def>The thigh bone</def>. <sd>(b)</sd> <def>The proximal segment of the hind limb containing the thigh bone; the thigh. See <er>Coxa</er>.</def>

<h1>Fen</h1> <Xpage=551>

<hw>Fen</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[AS. <ets>fen</ets>, <ets>fenn</ets>, marsh, mud, dirt; akin to D. <ets>veen</ets>, OFries. <ets>fenne</ets>, <ets>fene</ets>, OHG. <ets>fenna</ets>, G. <ets>fenn</ets>, Icel. <ets>fen</ets>, Goth. <ets>fani</ets> mud.]</ety> <def>Low land overflowed, or covered wholly or partially with water, but producing sedge, coarse grasses, or other aquatic plants; boggy land; moor; marsh.</def>

<blockquote>'Mid reedy <b>fens</b> wide spread. <i>Wordsworth.</i></blockquote>

<note>&hand; <i>Fen is used adjectively with the sense of <i>belonging to</i>, or <i>of the nature of</i>, <i>a fen</i> or <i>fens</i>.</note>

<cs><col>Fen boat</col>, <cd>a boat of light draught used in marshes.</cd> -- <col>Fen duck</col> <fld>(Zo\'94l.)</fld>, <cd>a wild duck inhabiting fens; the shoveler.</cd> <mark>[Prov. Eng.]</mark> -- <col>Fen fowl</col> <fld>(Zo\'94l.)</fld>, <cd>any water fowl that frequent fens.</cd> -- <col>Fen goose</col> <fld>(Zo\'94l.)</fld>, <cd>the graylag goose of Europe.</cd> <mark>[Prov. Eng.]</mark> -- <col>Fen land</col>, <cd>swamp land.</cd></cs>

<h1>Fence</h1> <Xpage=551>

<hw>Fence</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Abbrev. from defence.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>That which fends off attack or danger; a defense; a protection; a cover; security; shield.</def>

<blockquote>Let us be backed with God and with the seas, Which he hath given for <b>fence</b> impregnable. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>A <b>fence</b> betwixt us and the victor's wrath. <i>Addison.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>An inclosure about a field or other space, or about any object; especially, an inclosing structure of wood, iron, or other material, intended to prevent intrusion from without or straying from within.</def>

<blockquote>Leaps o'er the <b>fence</b> with ease into the fold. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<note>&hand; In England a hedge, ditch, or wall, as well as a structure of boards, palings, or rails, is called a <i>fence</i>.</note>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(Locks)</fld> <def>A projection on the bolt, which passes through the tumbler gates in locking and unlocking.</def>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>Self-defense by the use of the sword; the art and practice of fencing and sword play; hence, skill in debate and repartee. See <er>Fencing</er>.</def>

<blockquote>Enjoy your dear wit, and gay rhetoric, That hath so well been taught her dazzing <b>fence</b>. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Of dauntless courage and consummate skill in <b>fence</b>. <i>Macaulay.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>A receiver of stolen goods, or a place where they are received.</def> <mark>[Slang]</mark>

<i>Mayhew.</i>

<h1>Fence month</h1> <Xpage=551>

<hw>Fence month</hw> <fld>(Forest Law)</fld>, <def>the month in which female deer are fawning, when hunting is prohibited.</def>

<i>Bullokar.</i>

-- <wordforms><wf>Fence roof</wf>, a covering for defense. "They fitted their shields close to one another in manner of a fence roof."</wordforms>

<i>Holland.</i>

<cs><col>Fence time</col>, <cd>the breeding time of fish or game, when they should not be killed.</cd> -- <col>Rail fence</col>, <cd>a fence made of rails, sometimes supported by posts.</cd> -- <col>Ring fence</col>, <cd>a fence which encircles a large area, or a whole estate, within one inclosure.</cd> -- <col>Worm fence</col>, <cd>a zigzag fence composed of rails crossing one another at their ends; -- called also <altname>snake fence</altname>, or <altname>Virginia rail fence</altname>.</cd> -- <col>To be on the fence</col>, <cd>to be undecided or uncommitted in respect to two opposing parties or policies. <mark>[Colloq.]</mark></cd></cs>