fencible, a. and n.
(ˈfɛnsɪb(ə)l)
Forms: 4–6 fensable, 5–6 fensabil(e, 5–7 fensible, (6 -ibill), 7– fencible.
[Short for defensable, defensible.]
A. adj.
1. Of a person: Capable of making defence; fit and liable to be called on for defensive military service. Chiefly Sc.
| c 1325 Coer de L. 3296 For we have herinne Syxty thousand men fensable. c 1475 Rauf Coilȝear 329 One thousand..of fensabill men. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 475 All other men commandit for to tak..That fensabill war. 1637–50 Row Hist. Kirk. (1842) 519 The toune of Aberdeen wes charged, that all fensible persons appeare in their arms. 1693 E. Halley in Phil. Trans. XVII. 601 The whole Force this City can raise of Fencible Men, as the Scotch call them, is about 9000. 1756 Ibid. XLIX. 880 There can be no increase at all of our fencible men. 1820 Scott Monast. xxxiv, Where is the roll of fencible men liable to do suit and service to the Halidome? 1837 Carlyle Fr. Rev. i. v. iv, Let fencible men..keep watch and ward. |
2. Of arms and armour: Capable of being used for defence. Sc.
| a 1572 Knox Hist. Ref. Wks. 1846 I. 87 The soldeouris caist from thame thaire pickis..and utheris weaponis fensable. 15.. Aberdeen Reg. V. 20 (Jam.) To consider..euery nychtbour quhay hes fensabil geir & vappynnis. |
3. Of a fortress, town, etc.: Capable of being defended; strong, well-fortified.
| 1590 Spenser F.Q. iii. x. 10 No fort so fensible..But that continuall battery will rive. 1599 Hakluyt Voy. II. 132 A roade..made very fensible with strong walls. 1632 Lithgow Trav. vi. 299 Houses, being Walled and fensible against the Arabs. a 1682 Sir J. Turner Mem., Battle of Preston, Baillie had..lodged the foot..among very fencible enclosures. 1820 Scott Monast. ix, This old tower of thine is fencible enough. |
b. transf. of a building: That is in good repair.
| 1417 Surtees Misc. (1890) 13 Þat the foresayd Thomas make hys pryve fensilble als it awe to be. |
4. Such as will serve as a fence or enclosure.
| 1799 J. Robertson Agric. Perth 84 All fences..must be left..in a fencible condition. |
5. The n. used attrib.: Belonging to the corps called Fencibles.
| 1795 Hist. Europe in Ann. Reg. (1796) 50/2 The expences accompanying the fencible cavalry. 1804 Wellington in Gurw. Desp. II. 642 To station the fencible battalion at Surat. 1844 Regul. & Ord. Army 4 Officers of Fencible and Militia Regiments rank together. |
B. n. A soldier liable only for defensive service at home. Also, land-fencible, river-fencible, sea-fencible.
| 1796 Sporting Mag. VII. 279 A military hero, whom the..tactics of the day denominate a fencible. 1803 G. Rose Diaries (1860) II. 57 Captain Essington, commanding the Sea Fencibles at Dover. 1806 A. Duncan Nelson's Fun. 12 The river fencibles were stationed close to the entrance. 1816 Scott Antiq. xlv, ‘A' the sea fencibles, and the land fencibles..are on fit.’ 1837 Lockhart Scott (1839) I. 305 Captain in the Perthshire Fencibles. 1839 J. Stevenson Justiciary Garland 75 A fencible I'll guard at home. |