Definition of "fence"

There was a weak place in the fence separating the two inclosures

1865, Horatio Alger, chapter 17, in Paul Prescott's Charge

From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much. Those entering it are greeted by wire fences, walls dating back to colonial times and security posts. For mariners leaving the port after lonely nights on the high seas, the delights of the B52 Night Club and Stallion Pub lie a stumble away.

2013 June 8, “The new masters and commanders”, in The Economist‎, volume 407, number 8839, page 52

The Bat—they called him the Bat. […]. He'd never been in stir, the bulls had never mugged him, he didn't run with a mob, he played a lone hand, and fenced his stuff so that even the fence couldn't swear he knew his face.

1920, Mary Roberts Rinehart, Avery Hopwood, chapter I, in The Bat: A Novel from the Play (Dell Book; 241), New York, N.Y.: Dell Publishing Company, page 01

The Finn was a fence, a trafficker in stolen goods, primarily in software. In the course of this business, he sometimes came into contact with other fences, some of whom dealt in the more traditional articles of the trade.

1984, William Gibson, Neuromancer (Sprawl; book 1), New York, N.Y.: Ace Books, page 73

I bruised my shin th' other day with playing at sword and dagger with a master of fence

1599, William Shakespeare, The Merry Wives of Windsor

I was in your armsThinking I belonged thereI figured it made senseBuilding me a fence

1980, ABBA (lyrics and music), “The Winner Takes It All”

[…] pray you, if you know,Where in the purlieus of this forest standsA sheep-cote fenc’d about with olive trees?

1599, William Shakespeare, As You Like It‎, act IV, scene 3

[…] O thou wall,That girdlest in those wolves, dive in the earth,And fence not Athens.

1607, William Shakespeare, Timon of Athens‎, act IV, scene 1

Here are twenty acres of land, and it is all you can properly farm, unless you have more help than yourself. Now fence and cultivate it, and you can make an abundant living.

1856, George A. Smith, The Saints Should Divest Themselves of Old Traditions

Cosin, our hands I hope shall fence our heads,And strike off his that makes you threaten vs.

1594, Christopher Marlowe, Edward II‎, London: William Jones

[…] I have learn’tTo fence my ear against thy sorceries.

1671, John Milton, Paradise Regain’d […] to which is added Samson Agonistes‎, London: John Starkey, Samson Agonistes, page 58, lines 937–938

The Bat—they called him the Bat. […]. He'd never been in stir, the bulls had never mugged him, he didn't run with a mob, he played a lone hand, and fenced his stuff so that even the fence couldn't swear he knew his face.

1920, Mary Roberts Rinehart, Avery Hopwood, chapter I, in The Bat: A Novel from the Play (Dell Book; 241), New York, N.Y.: Dell Publishing Company, page 01

Challenges are flying right and left between these bully-swordsmen, these spadassinicides, and poor devils of the robe who have never learnt to fence with anything but a quill.

1921, Rafael Sabatini, Scaramouche

A lady, sir, as you will find, / Keeps counsel, or she speaks her mind, / Means what she says and scorns to fence / And palter with feigned innocence.

1981, A. D. Hope, “His Coy Mistress to Mr. Marvell”, in A Book of Answers