Fense

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An archaic variant spelling of fence, meaning a defence or means of protection against attack
2. An old form of the word for protection, referring to a defensive barrier or safeguard
3. A obsolete term for defence, the act or means of guarding something against harm

Etymology: The spelling "fense" is an older variant of "fence," and the story behind both is that "fence" started life as a shortened "defence." English dropped the opening "de-" from "defence," a process called aphesis, and the clipped form took on the sense of a protective barrier as well as the older defensive meaning. The original word came into English through Anglo-Norman and Old French "defens," from Latin "defensa," from "defendere," meaning "to ward off." The sword sport got its name the same way. "Fencing" comes from the older sense of "fence" as defence, the art of protecting oneself with a blade, and only later did the sport come to be associated with the sword work itself.