Meaning
A thin artificial barrier that separates two pieces of land or forms a perimeter enclosing the lands of a house, building, etc.
Etymology
Origin: Old English
From Middle English fence, fens, short for defence, defens (“the act of defending”), from Old French defens, defense (see defence). The sense "enclosure" arises in the mid 15th century. Also from the 15th century is use as a verb in the sense "to enclose with a fence". The generalized sense "to defend, screen, protect" arises ca. 1500. The sense "to fight with swords (rapiers)" is from the 1590s (Shakespeare). Displaced native Old English heġe (compare Modern English hedge).
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 13 recorded puzzles:
- 2026-07-23FCDENOU
- 2026-04-09CAEFMNT
- 2026-01-24ECUTIFN
- 2025-09-16CENUOFL
- 2025-07-04CEOIFNT
- 2025-01-17NTICLFE
- 2024-12-10NCTFEIV
- 2024-02-06FCNEDIO
- 2023-10-28NUCTFEI
- 2023-07-09CTDNEFI
- 2023-05-11FCTNIGE
- 2023-04-05CDOUFEN
+1 earlier appearances in the archive.