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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Fensing, vbl. n. [e.m.E. fencing, fensing, late ME. fensyng (1489).]

1. The formal opening of a court or of parliament. (See Fens v. 1.) 1539 Reg. Cupar A. II. 298.
Quhilk day eftir the fensing of the said court [etc.] 1581 Reg. Privy C. III. 428.
All the tyme fra the Parliament fensing to the publicatioun of the Actis thairof 1603 Moysie Mem. 9.
The parliament … wes ordeanit, efter fensing of the samyn, to be transported to Sterling 1622-6 Bisset I. 67/1.
Thaireftir followes … the forme, and maner of fenssing or halding of courtis

2. Fensing place, a place of defence. 1593 Acts IV. 31/2.
To … mend the saidis portis and wallis … with fensing places in weirlyk maner

3. The exercise of fencing. 1596 Dalr. I. 92/6.
Thay thocht best … to spend that tyme in rinning, fenceng with swordes in the barresse