fence

Everyday

1. A fence is a wall of wood, metal or wire around a garden or field. tree →
2. To fence something in is to put a fence around it. tree →
3. Fencing is a sport of fighting with long thin swords. tree →
4. A fence can also be a strong defence or protection against harm. tree →

In the lessons

a place where birds and storks sit, or a thing built and measured in feet or metres; the length of fence round a field is its perimeter; phrases: «on the fence», «garden fence», «fence posts», «sit on the fence» (not choose a side)

Examples

• 3 birds were sitting on the fence. tree →
• He built a fence 40 feet long. tree →
• The fence has 12 posts. tree →
• How many more birds than storks are on the fence? tree →
• The cat jumped over the fence. tree →
• How much fence goes round a field 10 metres by 5 metres? tree →
• Dad painted the fence green. tree →
• Don't climb the fence; it is not safe. tree →
• "Ho, thou firm fence of mine, be thou divided! tree →

Note

A place, not usually counted. Trap: the things on the fence are counted, not the fence; a fence's length may be a measure in feet. Trap: a straight fence with N gaps needs N + 1 posts.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: A fence in the Torah is a wall beside a path, like the vineyard walls in Balaam's story. The psalms and Job use broken or built-up fences as a picture of God removing protection from a people, and of a person whose way is blocked by suffering. In the primary lessons: a place where birds and storks sit, or a thing built and measured in feet or metres; the length of fence round a field is its perimeter; phrases: «on the fence», «garden fence», «fence posts», «sit on the fence» (not choose a side)

Examples

• Then the angel of the LORD stood in a hollow way between the vineyards, a fence being on this side, and a fence on that side. (Torah NUM.22.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou hast broken down all his fences; Thou hast brought his strongholds to ruin. (Writings PSA.89.41, JPS 1917) tree →
• He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and hath set darkness in my paths. (Writings JOB.19.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• Why hast Thou broken down her fences, so that all they that pass by the way do pluck her? (Writings PSA.80.13, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

A place, not usually counted. Trap: the things on the fence are counted, not the fence; a fence's length may be a measure in feet. Trap: a straight fence with N gaps needs N + 1 posts.