The AI-powered English dictionary
third-person singular simple present fesses, present participle fessing, simple past and past participle fessed
To confess; to admit. examples
plural fesses
(heraldry) A horizontal band across the middle of the shield. quotations examples
Lord Robert Walsingham de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral—Hum! Arms: Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable.
1892, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor, Norton, published 2005, page 294
The space where the arms of Wolsey used to be is being repainted with his own newly granted arms: azure, on a fess between three lions rampant or, a rose gules, barbed vert, between two Cornish choughs proper.
2009, Hilary Mantel, Wolf Hall, Fourth Estate, published 2010, page 420
(UK dialect) Proud; conceited. quotations examples
Y'll be fess enough, my poppet, when th'st know!"
1891, Thomas Hardy, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, volume 1, London: James R. Osgood, McIlvaine and Co., page 32
(UK dialect) Lively; active; strong. examples
(UK dialect) Of animals, bad-tempered, fierce. examples