1. A structure serving as an enclosure, a barrier, or a boundary, usually made of posts or stakes joined together by boards, wire, or rails.
2. The art or sport of fencing.
3. 1. One who receives and sells stolen goods.
   2. A place where stolen goods are received and sold.
4. Archaic. A means of defense; a protection.

1. To enclose with or as if with a fence. See synonyms at enclose.
2. To separate or close off by or as if by means of a fence.
3. 1. To ward off; keep away.
   2. To defend.
4. To sell (stolen goods) to a fence.

1. To practice the art or sport of fencing.
2. To use tactics similar to the parry and thrust of fencing.
3. To avoid giving direct answers; hedge.
4. To act as a conduit for stolen goods.

on the fence Informal.

1. Undecided as to which of two sides to support; uncommitted or neutral.

[Middle English fens, short for defens, defense. See defense.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.