Fence Meaning
Fence Definition & Usage
A barrier or enclosure made of wood, wire, or other material, used to mark a boundary or limit, typically outdoors.
Examples
- "The farm had a tall fence surrounding the property to keep the animals in."
- "They installed a new fence around the garden to keep out stray dogs."
- "The fence was painted white and stood firm against the harsh winds."
- "A rusty old fence ran along the edge of the field, showing signs of age."
- "She leaned on the fence, looking out over the horizon as the sun set."
To illegally buy or sell stolen goods.
Examples
- "He was caught trying to fence the stolen electronics to a pawn shop."
- "The police believe that the thief tried to fence the paintings through a black market dealer."
- "She didn’t know the jewelry was stolen until the man offered to fence it for her."
- "The criminal was arrested for fencing goods that had been taken during the robbery."
- "They had been fencing stolen items for years before getting caught by the authorities."
A sport in which two people fight with swords, typically for sport or competition, using a variety of moves and techniques.
Examples
- "She started fencing when she was in high school and quickly became a state champion."
- "The fencing match was intense, with both competitors scoring points rapidly."
- "He enrolled in a fencing class to improve his agility and strategic thinking."
- "The fencing tournament attracted athletes from around the world to compete in various categories."
- "Her footwork in fencing was impeccable, allowing her to outmaneuver her opponent."
Cultural Context
The word 'fence' has multiple meanings across various contexts, each reflecting different historical and cultural influences. In the context of property and land use, fences have been symbols of boundaries and ownership for centuries. In the realm of illegal activity, 'fencing' goods has been a long-standing criminal enterprise, associated with black markets. Fencing as a sport has its origins in medieval swordsmanship, evolving into a modern Olympic discipline.
The Thief and the Fencer
Story
The Thief and the Fencer
Late one evening, a man named Greg found himself standing beside an old wooden fence, the fence that divided his small farm from the neighboring estate. It was a crude construction, made of weathered planks and leaning slightly to one side. Greg sighed, wondering if it would survive another storm. It was the last bit of fencing he could afford after the drought destroyed most of his crops. But his attention wasn't on the fence for long—he noticed a shadow moving swiftly along the property line. Greg knew he wasn’t alone on the farm, but who could it be? His mind raced as he grabbed his flashlight. The figure ducked behind the fence and Greg hesitated. The fence had always been enough to keep the cattle in and thieves out, but the night felt different. He was tired from working long hours in the fields, and his mind wasn’t sharp. But that was when he heard the unmistakable sound of a car engine starting up just beyond the fence. Greg crept closer, his flashlight cutting through the night as he peered around the corner. What he saw sent a chill down his spine—a man was hastily throwing boxes into a van, the boxes filled with tools and equipment that Greg recognized from his workshop. Without a second thought, Greg rushed forward, his heart pounding. "Hey! Stop!" Greg shouted, his voice cutting through the still night. The thief jumped, looking panicked. Greg could see the glint of something metallic in the man’s hand. But the thief wasn’t alone. Another figure appeared from behind the van, shouting at Greg to back off. A scuffle ensued, and Greg struggled to keep the thief at bay. He had no experience in physical altercations, but his instincts kicked in. In the distance, he could hear the police sirens growing louder. They must have been tipped off about the fencing operation. As the police arrived, Greg’s heart slowed. They quickly apprehended the thieves, who had been trying to fence the stolen goods through a known black market dealer. Greg stood there, watching the van being towed away, his mind still racing. He glanced at the fence one last time, feeling a strange sense of closure. The fence, which had been just a physical boundary, had become a symbol of protection that night. Later that week, Greg repaired the fence with his own hands, knowing it wasn’t just keeping the cattle in—but keeping the thieves out, too.
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