fence

/ˈfen(t)s/

Middle English fens, short for defens, defense

noun

  1. a means of protection : defense

  2. a barrier intended to prevent escape or intrusion or to mark a boundary; especially : such a barrier made of posts and wire or boards

  3. an immaterial barrier or boundary line

verb

  1. to enclose with a fence

  2. to keep in or out with a fence

  3. to ward off

noun

  1. the rehabilitating of a deteriorated political relationship