fence
fence (fĕns) noun
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. a. One who receives and sells stolen goods. b. A place where stolen goods are received and sold.
4. Archaic. A means of defense; a protection.
verb
fenced, fencing, fences
verb, transitive
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. a. To ward off; keep away. b. To defend.
4. To sell (stolen goods) to a fence.
verb, intransitive
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.
idiom.
on the fence Informal
Undecided as to which of two sides to support; uncommitted or neutral.
[Middle English fens, short for defens, defense. See defense.]
fencʹer noun