Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FENCE, v.i.

1. To practice the art of fencing; to use a sword or foil, for the purpose of learning the art of attack and defense. To fence well is deemed a useful accomplishment for military gentlemen.
2. To fight and defend by giving and avoiding blows or thrusts. They fence and push, and, pushing, loudly roar, / Their dewlaps and their aides are bathed in gore. Dryden.
3. To raise a fence; to guard. It is difficult to fence against unruly cattle.