fenceful

comparative more fenceful · superlative most fenceful

1. obsoleteAffording defense; defensive.

   And first the Skill, of useful Arts inspir'd; Taught Artists first the carving Tool to wield, Chariots with Brass to arm, and form the fenceful shield:

   1753, William Congreve, Homer's Hymn to Venus

   2 more examples

   But of all the modern Historians there is not anyone has writ with a greater observance of the fenceful Character, than Mariana in his History of Spain.

   1680, J Davies, Instructions for History

   When the Athenian birds explored their way To the blest climes that know no winter's day, One hapless twitt'rer, who disdain'd the rest, Outbraved the rigours in the fenceful nest :

   1914, Henry George Bohn, The Epigrams of Martial: Translated Into English Prose.

plural fencefuls

1. As many as make up or line a fence.

   It was like a bitch alleycat in estrus strutting high-tailed past a fenceful of toms.

   2001, Francis DiPietro, Holland and Bonni, page 180

   2 more examples

   Yes, they were as dry and inflammable as one would expect; I had only to drop a match among them and the whole fenceful would flare up — and perhaps half the Riverina as well.

   1968, The Countryman

   That fenceful of men and boys stood there like posts, waiting and speaking in whispers.

   2012, John Milton Oskison, Lionel Larrä, Tales of the Old Indian Territory and Essays on the Indian Condition