Fence - Fermental

Prev Next

Fence, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fenced (fĕnst); p. pr. & vb. n. Fencing (fĕnsĭng).] 1. To fend off danger from; to give security to; to protect; to guard.
[ Webster]

To fence my ear against thy sorceries. Milton.
[ Webster]

2. To inclose with a fence or other protection; to secure by an inclosure.
[ Webster]

O thou wall! . . . dive in the earth,
And fence not Athens. Shak.
[ Webster]

A sheepcote fenced about with olive trees. Shak.
[ Webster]

Coloq. 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.
[ Webster]

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.
[ Webster]

Vice is the more stubborn as well as the more dangerous evil, and therefore, in the first place, to be fenced against. Locke.
[ Webster]

2. To practice the art of attack and defense with the sword or with the foil, esp. with the smallsword, using the point only.
[ Webster]

He will fence with his own shadow. Shak.
[ Webster]

3. Hence, to fight or dispute in the manner of fencers, that is, by thrusting, guarding, parrying, etc.
[ Webster]

They fence and push, and, pushing, loudly roar;
Their dewlaps and their sides are bat�ed in gore. Dryden.
[ Webster]

As when a billow, blown against,
Falls back, the voice with which I fenced
A little ceased, but recommenced. Tennyson.
[ Webster]

Fenceful (?), a. Affording defense; defensive. [Obs.] Congreve.
[ Webster]

Fenceless, a. Without a fence; uninclosed; open; unguarded; defenseless. Milton.
[ Webster]

Fencer (?), n. One who fences; one who teaches or practices the art of fencing with sword or foil.
[ Webster]

As blunt as the fencer's foils. Shak.
[ Webster]

Fencible (?), a. Capable of being defended, or of making or affording defense. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

No fort so fencible, nor walls so strong. Spenser.
[ Webster]

Fencible, n. (Mil.) A soldier enlisted for home service only; -- usually in the pl.
[ Webster]

Fencing (?), n. 1. The art or practice of attack and defense with the sword, esp. with the smallsword. See , v. i., 2.
[ Webster]

2. Disputing or debating in a manner resembling the art of fencers. Shak.
[ Webster]

3. The materials used for building fences. [U.S.]
[ Webster]

4. The act of building a fence.
[ Webster]

5. The aggregate of the fences put up for inclosure or protection; as, the fencing of a farm.
[ Webster]

Fen cricket (?). (Zoöl.) The mole cricket. [Prov. Eng.]
[ Webster]

Fend (?), n. A fiend. [Obs.] Chaucer.
[ Webster]

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.
[ Webster]

With fern beneath to fend the bitter cold. Dryden.
[ Webster]

Coloq. To fend off a boat or Coloq. To fend off a vessel (Naut.), to prevent its running against anything with too much violence.
[ Webster]

Fend, v. i. To act on the defensive, or in opposition; to resist; to parry; to shift off.
[ Webster]

The dexterous management of terms, and being able to fend . . . with them, passes for a great part of learning. Locke.
[ Webster]

Fender (?), n. [From , v. t. & i., cf. .] 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.
[ Webster]

Fendliche (?), a. Fiendlike. [Obs.] Chaucer.
[ Webster]

Fenerate (?), 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.
[ Webster]

Feneration (?), n. [L. faeneratio.] The act of fenerating; interest. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
[ Webster]

Fenes-tella (?), 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.
[ Webster]

Fenestra (?), n.; pl. Fenestræ (#). [L., a window.] (Anat.) A small opening; esp., one of the apertures, closed by membranes, between the tympanum and internal ear.
[ Webster]

Fenestral (?), a. [L. fenestra a window.] 1. (Arch.) Pertaining to a window or to windows.
[ Webster]

2. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to a fenestra.
[ Webster]

Fenestral, n. (Arch.) A casement or window sash, closed with cloth or paper instead of glass. Weale.
[ Webster]

Fenestrate (?), a. [L. fenestratus, p. p. of fenestrare to furnish with openings and windows.] 1. Having numerous openings; irregularly reticulated; as, fenestrate membranes; fenestrate fronds.
[ Webster]

2. (Zoöl.) Having transparent spots, as the wings of certain butterflies.
[ Webster]

Fenestrated (?), a. 1. (Arch.) Having windows; characterized by windows.
[ Webster]

2. Same as .
[ Webster]

Fenestration (?), 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.
[ Webster]

2. (Anat.) The state or condition of being fenestrated.
[ Webster]

Fenestrule (?), n. [L. fenestrula a little window, dim. of fenestra a window.] (Zoöl.) One of the openings in a fenestrated structure.
[ Webster]

Fêng-hwang (?), n. [Chin. feng + ‘huang.] (Chinese Myth.) A pheasantlike bird of rich plumage and graceful form and movement, fabled to appear in the land on the accession of a sage to the throne, or when right principles are about to prevail. It is often represented on porcelains and other works of art.
[Webster Suppl.]

Fengite (?), n. (Min.) A kind of marble or alabaster, sometimes used for windows on account of its transparency.
[ Webster]

Fêng-shui (?), n. [Chin. feng wind + shiu water.] A system of spirit influences for good and evil believed by the Chinese to attend the natural features of landscape; also, a kind of geomancy dealing with these influences, used in determining sites for graves, houses, etc.
[Webster Suppl.]

Fenian (?), 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 Irishmen, having for its aim the overthrow of English rule in Ireland.
[ Webster]

Fenian (?), a. Pertaining to Fenians or to Fenianism.
[ Webster]

Fenianism (?), n. The principles, purposes, and methods of the Fenians.
[ Webster]

Fenks (fĕṉks), n. The refuse whale blubber, used as a manure, and in the manufacture of Prussian blue. Ure.
[ Webster]

Fennec (fĕnnĕk), n. [Ar. fanek.] (Zoöl.) A small, African, foxlike animal (Vulpes zerda) of a pale fawn color, remarkable for the large size of its ears.
[ Webster]

Fennel (fĕnnĕl), n. [AS. fenol, finol, from L. feniculum, faeniculum, dim. of fenum, faenum, hay: cf. F. fenouil. Cf. . .] (Bot.) A perennial plant of the genus Fæniculum (Fæniculum vulgare), having very finely divided leaves. It is cultivated in gardens for the agreeable aromatic flavor of its seeds.
[ Webster]

Smell of sweetest fennel. Milton.
[ Webster]

A sprig of fennel was in fact the theological smelling bottle of the tender sex. S. G. Goodrich.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Azorean fennel , or Coloq. Sweet fennel , (Fæniculum dulce). It is a smaller and stouter plant than the common fennel, and is used as a pot herb. -- Coloq. Dog's fennel (Anthemis Cotula), a foul-smelling European weed; -- called also mayweed. -- Coloq. Fennel flower (Bot.), an herb (Nigella) of the Buttercup family, having leaves finely divided, like those of the fennel. Nigella Damascena is common in gardens. Nigella sativa furnishes the fennel seed, used as a condiment, etc., in India. These seeds are the “fitches” mentioned in Isaiah (xxviii. 25). -- Coloq. Fennel water (Med.), the distilled water of fennel seed. It is stimulant and carminative. -- Coloq. Giant fennel (Ferula communis), has stems full of pith, which, it is said, were used to carry fire, first, by Prometheus. -- Coloq. Hog's fennel , a European plant (Peucedanum officinale) looking something like fennel.
[ Webster]

Fennish (?), a. Abounding in fens; fenny.
[ Webster]

Fenny (?), a. [AS. fennig.] Pertaining to, or inhabiting, a fen; abounding in fens; swampy; boggy. “Fenny snake.” Shak.
[ Webster]

Fenowed (?), a. [AS. fynig musty, fynegean to become musty or filthy: cf. fennig fenny, muddy, dirty, fr. fen fen. Cf. .] Corrupted; decayed; moldy. See . [Obs.] Dr. Favour.
[ Webster]

Fensi-ble (?), a. Fencible. [Obs.] Spenser.
[ Webster]

Fen-sucked (?), a. Sucked out of marches. “Fen-sucked fogs.” Shak.
[ Webster]

Fenugreek (? or ?), n. [L. faenum Graecum, lit., Greek hay: cf. F. fenugrec. Cf. .] (Bot.) A plant (trigonella Fœnum Græcum) 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).
[ Webster]

Feod (?), n. A feud. See 2d . Blackstone.
[ Webster]

Feodal (?), a. Feudal. See .
[ Webster]

Feodality (?), n. Feudal tenure; the feudal system. See . Burke.
[ Webster]

Feodary (?), n. 1. An accomplice.
[ Webster]

Art thou a feodary for this act? Shak.
[ Webster]

2. (Eng. Law) An ancient officer of the court of wards. Burrill.
[ Webster]

Feodatory (?), n. See .
[ Webster]

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 .] (Law) To invest with a fee or feud; to give or grant a corporeal hereditament to; to enfeoff.
[ Webster]

Feoff, n. (Law) A fief. See .
[ Webster]

Feoffee (?; 277), n. [OF. feoffé.] (Law) The person to whom a feoffment is made; the person enfeoffed.
[ Webster]

Feoffment (?), 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 (?) }, n. [OF. feoour.] (Law) One who enfeoffs or grants a fee.
[ Webster]

Fer (?), a. & adv. Far. [Obs.] Chaucer.
[ Webster]

Feracious (?), a. [L. ferax, -acis, fr. ferre to bear.] Fruitful; producing abundantly. [R.] Thomson.
[ Webster]

Feracity (?), n. [L. feracitas.] The state of being feracious or fruitful. [Obs.] Beattie.
[ Webster]

Feræ (?), n. pl. [L., wild animals, fem. pl. of ferus wild.] (Zoöl.) A group of mammals which formerly included the Carnivora, Insectivora, Marsupialia, and lemurs, but is now often restricted to the Carnivora.

Feræ naturæ (?). [L.] Of a wild nature; -- applied to animals, as foxes, wild ducks, etc., in which no one can claim property.
[ Webster]

Feral (?), a. [L. ferus. See .] (Bot. & Zoöl.) Wild; untamed; ferine; not domesticated; -- said of beasts, birds, and plants.
[ Webster]

Feral, a. [L. feralis, belonging to the dead.] Funereal; deadly; fatal; dangerous. [R.] “Feral accidents.” Burton.
[ Webster]

Ferde (?), obs. imp. of . Chaucer.
[ Webster]

Fer-de-lance (?), n. [F., the iron of a lance, lance head.] (Zoöl.) A large, venomous serpent (Trigonocephalus lanceolatus) of Brazil and the West Indies. It is allied to the rattlesnake, but has no rattle.
[ Webster]

Ferding (?), n. [See .] A measure of land mentioned in Domesday Book. It is supposed to have consisted of a few acres only. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Ferdness (?), n. [OE. ferd fear. See .] Fearfulness. [Obs.] Chaucer.
[ Webster]

Fere (?), n. [OE. fere companion, AS. gefēra, from fēran to go, travel, faran to travel. √78. See .] A mate or companion; -- often used of a wife. [Obs.] [Written also fear and feere.] Chaucer.
[ Webster]

And Cambel took Cambrina to his fere. Spenser.
[ Webster]

Coloq. In fere , together; in company. [Obs.] Chaucer.
[ Webster]

Fere, a. [Cf. L. ferus wild.] Fierce. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Fere, n. [See .] Fire. [Obs.] Chaucer.
[ Webster]

Fere, n. [See .] Fear. [Obs.] Chaucer.
[ Webster]

Fere, v. t. & i. To fear. [Obs.] Chaucer.
[ Webster]

Feretory (?), n. [L. feretrum bier, Gr. �, fr. ferein to bear, akin to L. ferre, E. bear to support.] A portable bier or shrine, variously adorned, used for containing relics of saints. Mollett.
[ Webster]

Ferforth (?), adv. Far forth. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Coloq. As ferforth as , as far as. -- Coloq. So ferforth , to such a degree.
[ Webster]

Ferforthly, adv. Ferforth. [Obs.] Chaucer.
[ Webster]

Fergusonite (?), n. (Min.) A mineral of a brownish black color, essentially a tantalo-niobate of yttrium, erbium, and cerium; -- so called after Robert Ferguson.
[ Webster]

Feria (?), n.; pl. Feriæ (�). (Eccl.) A week day, esp. a day which is neither a festival nor a fast. Shipley.
[ Webster]

Ferial (?), n. Same as .
[ Webster]

Ferial, a. [LL. ferialis, fr. L. ferie holidays: cf. F. férial. See 5th .] 1. Of or pertaining to holidays. [Obs.] J. Gregory.
[ Webster]

2. Belonging to any week day, esp. to a day that is neither a festival nor a fast.
[ Webster]

Feriation (?), n. [L. feriari to keep holiday, fr. ferie holidays.] The act of keeping holiday; cessation from work. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
[ Webster]

Ferie (?), n. [OF. ferie, fr. L. ferie holidays. See 5th .] A holiday. [Obs.] Bullokar.
[ Webster]

Ferier (?), a., compar. of , fierce. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Rhenus ferier than the cataract. Marston.
[ Webster]

Ferine (?), a. [L. ferinus, fr. ferus wild. See .] Wild; untamed; savage; as, lions, tigers, wolves, and bears are ferine beasts. Sir M. Hale. -- n. A wild beast; a beast of prey. -- Ferinely, adv. -- Ferineness, n.
[ Webster]

Feringee (?), n. [Per. Farangī, or Ar. Firanjī, properly, a Frank.] The name given to Europeans by the Hindos. [Written also Feringhee.]
[ Webster]

Ferity (?), n. [L. feritas, from ferus wild.] Wildness; savageness; fierceness. [Obs.] Woodward.
[ Webster]

Ferly (?), a. [AS. f�rlic sudden, unexpected. See , n.] Singular; wonderful; extraordinary. [Obs.] -- n. A wonder; a marvel. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Who hearkened ever such a ferly thing. Chaucer.
[ Webster]

{ Ferm, Ferme (?), n. }[See .] Rent for a farm; a farm; also, an abode; a place of residence; as, he let his land to ferm. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Out of her fleshy ferme fled to the place of pain. Spenser.
[ Webster]

Fermacy (?), n. [OE. See .] Medicine; pharmacy. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Ferment (?), n. [L. fermentum ferment (in senses 1 & 2), perh. for fervimentum, fr. fervere to be boiling hot, boil, ferment: cf. F. ferment. Cf. 1st , .] 1. That which causes fermentation, as yeast, barm, or fermenting beer.
[ Webster]

☞ Ferments are of two kinds: (a) Formed or organized ferments. (b) Unorganized or structureless ferments. The latter are now called enzymes and were formerly called soluble ferments or chemical ferments. Ferments of the first class are as a rule simple microscopic vegetable organisms, and the fermentations which they engender are due to their growth and development; as, the acetic ferment, the butyric ferment, etc. See . Ferments of the second class, on the other hand, are chemical substances; as a rule they are proteins soluble in glycerin and precipitated by alcohol. In action they are catalytic and, mainly, hydrolytic. Good examples are pepsin of the dastric juice, ptyalin of the salvia, and disease of malt. Before 1960 the term ferment to mean enzyme fell out of use. Enzymes are now known to be s, capable of catalyzing a wide variety of chemical reactions, not merely hydrolytic. The full set of enzymes causing production of ethyl alcohol from sugar has been identified and individually purified and studied. See .
[ Webster +PJC]

2. Intestine motion; heat; tumult; agitation.
[ Webster]

Subdue and cool the ferment of desire. Rogers.
[ Webster]

the nation is in a ferment. Walpole.
[ Webster]

3. A gentle internal motion of the constituent parts of a fluid; fermentation. [R.]
[ Webster]

Down to the lowest lees the ferment ran. Thomson.
[ Webster]

Coloq. ferment oils , volatile oils produced by the fermentation of plants, and not originally contained in them. These were the quintessences of the alchemists. Ure.
[ Webster]

Ferment (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fermented; p. pr. & vb. n. Fermenting.] [L. fermentare, fermentatum: cf. F. fermenter. See , n.] To cause ferment or fermentation in; to set in motion; to excite internal emotion in; to heat.
[ Webster]

Ye vigorous swains! while youth ferments your blood. Pope.
[ Webster]

Ferment, v. i. 1. To undergo fermentation; to be in motion, or to be excited into sensible internal motion, as the constituent particles of an animal or vegetable fluid; to work; to effervesce.
[ Webster]

2. To be agitated or excited by violent emotions.
[ Webster]

But finding no redress, ferment and rage. Milton.
[ Webster]

The intellect of the age was a fermenting intellect. De Quincey.
[ Webster]

Fermentability (?), n. Capability of fermentation.
[ Webster]

Fermentable (?), a. [Cf. F. fermentable.] Capable of fermentation; as, cider and other vegetable liquors are fermentable.
[ Webster]

Fermental (?), a. Fermentative. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Prev Next

Concept Explore Home

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z