The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
Chapter 584
O thou wall! . . . dive in the earth, And fence not Athens. Shak.
A sheepcote fenced about with olive trees. Shak.
To fence the tables (Scot. Church) , to make a solemn address to those who present themselves to commune at the Lord's supper, on the feelings appropriate to the service, in order to hinder, so far as possible, those who are unworthy from approaching the table. McCheyne.
Fence <Xpage=552>
Fence (?) , v. i. 1. To make a defense; to guard one's self of anything, as against an attack; to give protection or security, as by a fence.
Vice is the more stubborn as well as the more dangerous evil, and therefore, in the first place, to be fenced against. Locke.
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.
Fenceful <Xpage=552>
Fence"ful (?) , a. Affording defense; defensive. [Obs.]
Congreve.
Fenceless <Xpage=552>
Fence"less , a. Without a fence; uninclosed; open; unguarded; defenseless.
Milton.
Fencer <Xpage=552>
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.
Fenci-ble <Xpage=552>
Fen"ci-ble (?) , a. Capable of being defended, or of making or affording defense. [Obs.]
No fort so fencible , nor walls so strong. Spenser.
Fencible <Xpage=552>
Fen"ci*ble , n. (Mil.) A soldier enlisted for home service only; -- usually in the pl.
Fencing <Xpage=552>
Fen"cing (?) , n. 1. The art or practice of attack and defense with the sword, esp. with the s,allword. 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. To aggregate of the fences put up for inclosure or protection; as, the fencing of a farm .
Fen cricket <Xpage=552>
Fen" crick`et (?) . (Zo\'94l.) The mole cricket. [Prov. Eng.]
Fend <Xpage=552>
Fend (?) , n. A fiend. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Fend <Xpage=552>
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 ∨ vessel (Naut.) , to prevent its running against anything with too much violence.
Fend <Xpage=552>
Fend , v. i. To act on the defensive, or in opposition; to resist; to parry; to shift off.
The dexterous management of terms, and being able to fend . . . with them, passes for a great part of learning. Locke.
Fender <Xpage=552>
Fen"der (?) , n. [From Fend , v. t. & i ., cf. Defender .] One who or that which defends or protects by warding off harm ; as: (a) A screen to prevent coals or sparks of an open fire from escaping to the floor . (b) Anything serving as a cushion to lessen the shock when a vessel comes in contact with another vessel or a wharf . (c) A screen to protect a carriage from mud thrown off the wheels: also, a splashboard . (d) Anything set up to protect an exposed angle, as of a house, from damage by carriage wheels.
Fendliche <Xpage=552>
Fend"liche (?) , a. Fiendlike. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Fenerate <Xpage=552>
Fen"er*ate (?) , v. i. [L. faeneratus , p.p. of faenerari lend on interest, fr. faenus interest.] To put money to usury; to lend on interest. [Obs.]
Cockeram.
Feneration <Xpage=552>
Fen`er*a"tion (?) , n. [L. faeneratio .] The act of fenerating; interest. [Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
Fenes-tella <Xpage=552>
Fen`es-tel"la (?) , n. [L., dim. of fenestra <?/ window.] (Arch.) Any small windowlike opening or recess, esp. one to show the relics within an altar, or the like.
Fenestra <Xpage=552>
Fe*nes"tra (?) , n. ; pl. Fenestr\'91 (#) . [L., a window.] (Anat.) A small opening; esp., one of the apertures, closed by membranes, between the tympanum and internal ear.
Fenestral <Xpage=552>
Fe*nes"tral (?) , a. [L. fenestra a window.] 1. (Arch.) Pertaining to a window or to windows.
2. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to a fenestra.
Fenestral <Xpage=552>
Fe*nes"tral , n. (Arch.) A casement or window sash, closed with cloth or paper instead of glass.
Weale.
Fenestrate <Xpage=552>
Fe*nes"trate (?) , a. [L. fenestratus , p.p. of fenestrare to furnish with openings and windows.] 1. Having numerous openings; irregularly reticulated; as, fenestrate membranes; fenestrate fronds.
2. (Zo\'94l.) Having transparent spots, as the wings of certain butterflies.
Fenestrated <Xpage=552>
Fe*nes"tra*ted (?) , a. 1. (Arch.) Having windows; characterized by windows.
2. Same as Fenestrate .
Fenestration <Xpage=552>
Fen`es*tra"tion (?) , n. 1. (Arch.) The arrangement and proportioning of windows; -- used by modern writers for the decorating of an architectural composition by means of the window (and door) openings, their ornaments, and proportions.
2. (Anat.) The state or condition of being fenestrated.
Fenestrule <Xpage=552>
Fe*nes"trule (?) , n. [L. fenestrula a little window, dim. of fenestra a window.] (Zo\'94l.) One of the openings in a fenestrated structure.
Fengite <Xpage=552>
Fen"gite (?) , n. (Min.) A kind of marble or alabaster, sometimes used for windows on account of its transparency.
Fenian <Xpage=552>
Fe"ni*an (?) , n. [From the Finians or Fenii , the old militia of Ireland, who were so called from Fin or Finn , Fionn , or Fingal , a popular hero of Irish traditional history.] A member of a secret organization, consisting mainly of Irishment, having for its aim the overthrow of English rule in ireland.
Feni-an <Xpage=552>
Fe"ni-an (?) , a. Pertaining to Fenians or to Fenianism.
Fenianism <Xpage=552>
Fe"ni*an*ism (?) , n. The principles, purposes, and methods of the Fenians.
Fenks <Xpage=552>
Fenks (?) , n. The refuse whale blubber, used as a manure, and in the manufacture of Prussian blue.
Ure.
Fennec <Xpage=552>
Fen"nec (?) , n. [Ar. fanek .] (Zo\'94l.) A small, African, foxlike animal ( Vulpes zerda ) of a pale fawn color, remarkable for the large size of its ears.
Fennel <Xpage=552>
Fen"nel (?) , n. [AS. fenol , finol , from L. feniculum , faeniculum , dim. of fenum , faenum , hay: cf. F. fenouil . Cf. Fenugreek . Finochio .] (Bot.) A perennial plant of the genus F\'91niculum ( F.vulgare ), having very finely divided leaves. It is cultivated in gardens for the agreeable aromatic flavor of its seeds.
Smell of sweetest fennel . Milton.
A sprig of fennel was in fact the theological smelling bottle of the tender sex. S. G. Goodrich.
Azorean, ∨ Sweet , fennel , ( F\'91niculum dulce ). It is a smaller and stouter plant than the common fennel, and is used as a pot herb. -- Dog's fennel ( Anthemis Cotula ), a foul-smelling European weed; -- called also mayweed . -- Fennel flower (Bot.) , an herb ( Nigella ) of the Buttercup family, having leaves finely divided, like those of the fennel. N.Damascena is common in gardens. N.sativa furnishes the fennel seed, used as a condiment, etc., in India. These seeds are the "fitches" mentioned in Isaiah (xxviii. 25). -- Fennel water (Med.) , the distilled water of fennel seed. It is stimulant and carminative. -- Giant fennel ( Ferula communis ), has stems full of pith, which, it is said, were used to carry fire, first, by Prometheus. -- Hog's fennel , a European plant ( Peucedanum officinale ) looking something like fennel.
Fennish <Xpage=552>
Fen"nish (?) , a. Abounding in fens; fenny.
Fenny <Xpage=552>
Fen"ny (?) , a. [AS. fennig .] Pertaining to, or inhabiting, a fen; abounding in fens; swampy; boggy. " Fenny snake."
Shak.
Fenowed <Xpage=552>
Fen"owed (?) , a. [AS. fynig musty, fynegean to become musty or filthy: cf. fennig fenny, muddy, dirty, fr. fen fen. Cf. Finew .] Corrupted; decayed; moldy. See Vinnewed . [Obs.]
Dr. Favour.
Fensi-ble <Xpage=552>
Fen"si-ble (?) , a. Fencible. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Fen-sucked <Xpage=552>
Fen"-sucked` (?) , a. Sucked out of marches. " Fen-sucked fogs."
Shak.
Fenugreek <Xpage=552>
Fen"u*greek (? ∨ ?) , n. [L. faenum Graecum , lit., Greek hay: cf. F. fenugrec . Cf. Fennel .] (Bot.) A plant ( trigonella F\'d2num Gr\'91cum ) cultivated for its strong-smelling seeds, which are "now only used for giving false importance to horse medicine and damaged hay." J. Smith (Pop. Names of Plants, 1881).
Feod <Xpage=552>
Feod (?) , n. A feud. See 2d Feud .
Blackstone.
Feodal <Xpage=552>
Feod"al (?) , a. Feudal. See Feudal .
Feodality <Xpage=552>
Feo*dal"i*ty (?) , n. Feudal tenure; the feudal system. See Feudality .
Burke.
Feodary <Xpage=552>
Feod"a*ry (?) , n. 1. An accomplice.
Art thou a feodary for this act? Shak.
2. (Eng. Law) An ancient officer of the court of wards.
Burrill.
Feodatory <Xpage=552>
Feod"a*to*ry (?) , n. See Feudatory .
Feoff <Xpage=552>
Feoff (?; 277) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Feoffed (#) ; p. pr. & vb. n. . Feoffing .] [OE. feffen , OF. feffer , fieffer , F. fieffer , fr. fief fief; cf. LL. feoffare , fefare . See Fief .] (Law) To invest with a fee or feud; to give or grant a corporeal hereditament to; to enfeoff.
Feoff <Xpage=552>
Feoff , n. (Law) A fief. See Fief .
Feoffee <Xpage=552>
Feof*fee" (?; 277) , n. [OF. feoff\'82 .] (Law) The person to whom a feoffment is made; the person enfeoffed.
Feoffment <Xpage=552>
Feoff"ment (?) , n. [OF. feoffement , fieffement ; cf. LL. feoffamentum .] (Law) (a) The grant of a feud or fee . (b) (Eng. Law) A gift or conveyance in fee of land or other corporeal hereditaments, accompanied by actual delivery of possession.
Burrill.
(c) The instrument or deed by which corporeal hereditaments are conveyed . [Obs. in the U.S., Rare in Eng.]
Feofor, Feoffer <Xpage=552>
Feo"for (?) , Feof"fer (?) , n. [OF. feoour .] (Law) One who enfeoffs or grants a fee.
Fer <Xpage=552>
Fer (?) , a. & adv. Far. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Feracious <Xpage=552>
Fe*ra"cious (?) , a. [L. ferax , -acis , fr. ferre to bear.] Fruitful; producing abudantly. [R.]
Thomson.
Feracity <Xpage=552>
Fe*rac"i*ty (?) , n. [L. feracitas .] The state of being feracious or fruitful. [Obs.]
Beattie.
Fer\'91 <Xpage=552>
Fe"r\'91 (?) , n. pl. [L., wild animals, fem. pl. of ferus wild.] (Zo\'94l.) A group of mammals which formerly included the Carnivora, Insectivora, Marsupialia, and lemurs, but is now often restricted to the Carnivora.
<-- no pos in original = adv. --> Fer\'91 natur\'91 <Xpage=552>
Fe"r\'91 na*tu"r\'91 (?) . [L.] Of a wild nature; -- applied to animals, as foxes, wild ducks, etc., in which no one can claim property.
Feral <Xpage=552>
Fe"ral (?) , a. [L. ferus . See Fierce .] (Bot. & Zo\'94l.) Wild; untamed; ferine; not domesticated; -- said of beasts, birds, and plants. <-- also feral child , not raised by humans -->
Feral <Xpage=552>
Fe"ral , a. [L. feralis , belonging to the dead.] Funereal; deadly; fatal; dangerous. [R.] " Feral accidents."
Burton.
Ferde <Xpage=552>
Ferde (?) , obs. imp. of Fare .
Chaucer.
Fer-de-lance <Xpage=552>
Fer`-de-lance" (?) , n. [F., the iron of a lance, lance head.] (Zo\'94l.) A large, venomous serpent ( Trigonocephalus lanceolatus <-- now Bothrops atrox-->) of Brazil and the West Indies. It is allied to the rattlesnake, but has no rattle. <-- also in Central America. -->
Ferding <Xpage=552>
Fer"ding (?) , n. [See Farthing .] A measure of land mentioned in Domesday Book. It is supposed to have consisted of a few acres only. [Obs.]
Ferdness <Xpage=552>
Ferd"ness (?) , n. [OE. ferd fear. See Fear .] Fearfulness. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Fere <Xpage=552>
Fere (?) , n. [OE. fere companion, AS. gef&emac;ra , from f&emac;ran to go, travel, faran to travel. &root;78. See Fare .] A mate or companion; -- often used of a wife. [Obs.] [Written also fear and feere .]
Chaucer.
And Cambel took Cambrina to his fere . Spenser.
In fere , together; in company. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Fere <Xpage=552>
Fere , a. [Cf. L. ferus wild.] Fierce. [Obs.]
Fere <Xpage=552>
Fere , n. [See Fire .] Fire. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Fere <Xpage=552>
Fere , n. [See Fear .] Fear. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Fere <Xpage=552>
Fere , v. t. & i. To fear. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Feretory <Xpage=552>
Fer`e*to*ry (?) , n. [L. feretrum bier, Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ to bear, akin to L. ferre , E. bear to support.] A portable bier or shrine, variously adorned, used for containing relics of saints.
Mollett.
Ferforth <Xpage=552>
Fer"forth` (?) , adv. Far forth. [Obs.]
As ferforth as , as far as. -- So ferforth , to such a degree.
Ferforthly <Xpage=552>
Fer"forth`ly , adv. Ferforth. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Fergusonite <Xpage=552>
Fer"gu*son*ite (?) , n. (Min.) A mineral of a brownish black color, essentially a tantalo-niobate of yttrium, erbium, and cerium; -- so called after Robert Ferguson .
Feria <Xpage=552>
Fe"ri*a (?) , n. ; pl. Feri\'91 (<?/) . (Eccl.) A week day, esp. a day which is neither a festival nor a fast.
Shipley.
Ferial <Xpage=552>
Fe"ri*al (?) , n. Same as Feria .
Ferial <Xpage=552>
Fe"ri*al , a. [LL. ferialis , fr. L. ferie holidays: cf. F. f\'82rial . See 5th Fair .] 1. Of or pertaining to holidays. [Obs.]
J. Gregory.
2. Belonging to any week day, esp. to a day that is neither a festival nor a fast.
Feriation <Xpage=552>
Fe`ri*a"tion (?) , n. [L. feriari to keep holiday, fr. ferie holidays.] The act of keeping holiday; cessation from work. [Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
Ferie <Xpage=552>
Fe"rie (?) , n. [OF. ferie , fr. L. ferie holidays. See 5th Fair .] A holiday. [Obs.]
Bullokar.
Ferier <Xpage=552>
Fe"ri*er (?) , a. , compar . of Fere , fierce. [Obs.]
Rhenus ferier than the cataract. Marston.
Ferine <Xpage=552>
Fe"rine (?) , a. [L. ferinus , fr. ferus wild. See Fierce .] Wild; untamed; savage; as, lions, tigers, wolves, and bears are ferine beasts .
Sir M. Hale.
-- n. A wild beast; a beast of prey. -- Fe"rine*ly , adv. -- Fe"rine*ness , n.
Feringee <Xpage=552>
Fer*in"gee (?) , n. [Per. Farang\'c6 , or Ar. Firanj\'c6 , properly, a Frank.] The name given to Europeans by the Hindos. [Written also Feringhee .]
Ferity <Xpage=552>
Fer"i*ty (?) , n. [L. feritas , from ferus wild.] Wildness; savageness; fierceness. [Obs.]
Woodward.
Ferly <Xpage=552>
Fer"ly (?) , a. [AS. f<?/rlic sudden, unexpected. See Fear , n. ] Singular; wonderful; extraordinary. [Obs.] -- n. A wonder; a marvel. [Obs.]
Who hearkened ever such a ferly thing. Chaucer.
Fermacy <Xpage=552>
Fer"ma*cy (?) , n. [OE. See Pharmacy .] Medicine; pharmacy. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Ferm, Ferme <Xpage=552>
Ferm , Ferme (?) , n. [See Farm .] Rent for a farm; a farm; also, an abode; a place of residence; as, he let his land to ferm . [Obs.]
Out of her fleshy ferme fled to the place of pain. Spenser.
Ferment <Xpage=552>
Fer"ment (?) , n. [L. fermentum ferment (in senses 1 & 2), perh. for fervimentum , fr. fervere to be boiling hot, boil, ferment: cf. F. ferment . Cf. 1st Barm , Fervent .] 1. That which causes fermentation, as yeast, barm, or fermenting beer.