Fence: 'Fence' is a clipped form of… | etymologist.ai
fence
/fɛns/·noun·c. 1330·Established
Origin
A clipped form of 'defence' — literally a protective barrier, and sword-fencingshares the same root: the art of self-defense.
Definition
A barrier, railing, or other upright structure enclosing an area of ground to mark a boundary, control access, or prevent escape.
The Full Story
English14th centurywell-attested
A clipped form of 'defence' (also 'defense'), shortened in the 15th century by dropping the unstressed first syllable — a process called aphesis. The full form 'defence' came from OldFrench 'defens,' 'defense' (protection, fortification, forbidden territory), from Latin 'dēfēnsa' (warding off, protection), a nominal form of 'dēfendere' (to ward off, to protect, to repel). The verb 'dēfendere' is compounded from 'dē-' (away from, off) and *fendere (to strike, to push
Did you know?
'Fence' is a clipped form of 'defence' — a fence defends your property. And 'fencing' (the sport of sword-fighting) comes from the same word: a fencer 'defends' against attacks. 'Offend' is the opposite: 'ob-' (against) + 'fendere' (to strike) — to strike against someone. A garden fence and a fencing match are etymologically the sameword: both
sense of defence directly. The slang sense 'fence' for a receiver of stolen goods arose in the 17th century, probably from the idea of a secure enclosure for illicit goods — a safe barrier between stolen property and its original owners. Key roots: dē- (Latin: "from, away"), *gʷʰen- (Proto-Indo-European: "to strike, to kill").