fencer
(ˈfɛnsə(r))
[f. fence v. + -er1.]
1. One who fences. a. One who fights, or practises fencing with a foil or sword; a swordsman.
| 1581 G. Pettie Guazzo's Civ. Conv. i. (1586) 37 b, A fencer, who making at his enimies head, striketh him on the legge. 1599 Shakes. Much Ado v. ii. 13 As blunt as the Fencers foiles. 1649 Bp. Hall Cases Consc. ii. ii. 109 Whether of the two is the better Fencer. 1712 Steele Spect. No. 422 ¶6 They do not thrust with the Skill of Fencers. 1809 Roland Fencing 39 There has been, even by good Fencers, some controversy respecting this parade. 1829 Lytton Devereux i. iv, You are the best fencer in the school. |
† b. One who fences in public shows; a hired or professional swordsman. Obs.
| 1572 Act 14 Eliz. c. 5 §5 All Fencers..Comon Players in Enterludes, & minstrels, not belonging to any Baron. 1583 Fleetwood in Ellis Orig. Lett. i. II. 292 One Dwelles, a fenser nere Cicell howse. 1601 Shakes. Twel. N. iii. iv. 307 He has bin Fencer to the Sophy. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1638) 158 He..appointed certaine Ruffians and Fencers to watch her house. |
† c. A gladiator. Also fencer at the sharp. Obs.
| 1587 Golding De Mornay xxiii. 349 They had not made their wonted shewes of Fensers. 1632 Sir R. Le Grys tr. Velleius Paterc. 225 Most magnificent shewes of fencers at the sharpe. 1637 R. Humfrey tr. St. Ambrose i. 137 The clamour of gamesters, the slaughter of fensers. 1693 Congreve Juvenal xi. 15 A man..Able for arms..'Mongst common Fencers, Practices the Trade, That End debasing, for which Arms were made. |
d. fig.
| a 1680 Butler Rem. (1759) II. 206 A Quibbler..is a Fencer of Language. a 1715 Burnet Own Time (1766) I. 254 Here were a couple of fencers engaged in disputes. |
2. Chiefly Austr. and N.Z. One employed in putting up fences.
| 1881 Mrs. C. Praed Policy & P. I. 241 ‘Where is father?’..‘In the office settling with the fencers.’ 1881 Instr. Census Clerks (1885) 98 s.v. General labourer, Fencer. 1892 Pall Mall G. 7 June 7/1 This shuts Kanakas out from the business of..sawyers, splitters, fencers. 1921 H. Guthrie-Smith Tutira xxxviii. 382 Owners and employees had worked shoulder to shoulder as..butchers, fencers, bullock-punchers. 1950 N.Z. Jrnl. Agric. Oct. 356/2 Two fencers are kept in steady work at Glenaray [sheep station, Southland]. |
3. A horse that jumps fences. Chiefly with prefixed adj., as a good fencer, bold, etc. fencer.
| 1852 R. S. Surtees Sponge's Sp. Tour xliv. 249 Don't know that I ever rode a better fencer. 1876 World No. 120. 12 Few areas..require a bigger or bolder fencer. |
4. slang. (See quots.)
| a 1700 B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, Queere-cole-fencer, a Receiver and putter off [of] false Money. c 1700 Street Robberies Consider'd, Fencer, receiver of stolen goods. |
5. Comb., as fencer-like adj.; † fencer-month = fence-month.
| 1660 Fisher Rustick's Alarm Wks. (1679) 208 Ye glory in your Fencer-like Faculties of Disputing. a 1700 B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, Season of Beasts, a Hart or Buck begins at the end of Fencer-Month. |
Hence ˈfenceress [= -ess], a female fencer.
| a 1661 B. Holyday Juvenal 93 What young face Caught Hippia thus? for which she chose disgrace, To be instil'd the fenceress! |