unfencedadj.
/(ˌ)ʌnˈfɛnst/, U.S. /ˌənˈfɛnst/ 1. Undefended, unprotected.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > [adjective] > defended > not defended
strengthlessc1175
undefenced1451
unfenced1548
unflanked1553
1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) Immunitus, not defended, not fortified, vnfensed.
1587 F. Thynne Ann. Scotl. 408/2 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II Iedworth [is] a towne which after the manner of the countrie is vnwalled and vnfensed, but onelie with the strength of the inhabitants.
1646 J. Hall Horæ Vacivæ 90 When a man is in earnest, he stands upon his guard; in mirth he lies open unfenc't.
1654 tr. M. Martini Bellum Tartaricum 115 The Chineses ran all away.., leaving the whole shore unfenced to their landing.
1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Odyssey in Iliad & Odyssey II. xi. 316 Though puissant Heroes both, in spacious Thebes, Unfenced by towers, they could not dwell secure.
1867 W. Morris Life & Death of Jason vi. 114 For the unfenced head, Where we have been, soon lies among the dead.
2.
a. Not provided with, or enclosed by, a fence or fences.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > [adjective] > open or not enclosed > by a fence, wall, gate, etc.
unwalledc1450
undefenced1607
unpaled1607
unfenced1608
grateless1807
gateless1817
wall-less1849
1608 Presentment in Essex Rev. XV. 46 The churchyard is unfensed, the windows unglazed.
1623 W. Lisle in tr. Ælfric Saxon Treat. Old & New Test. Ded. xviii This three-cornerd Ile on ev'ry side, Unfens'd, undelv'd, ungardined.
1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Melonry These take in three Ridges, only the outermost Ridge lies to the South unfenced.
1794 M. Berry Jrnl. (1865) I. 448 The country, tho' not without trees, is..perfectly open and unfenced and unditched.
1847 H. W. Longfellow Evangeline i. i. 9 Orchards and cornfields Spreading afar and unfenced o'er the plain.
1885 Law Rep.: Queen's Bench Div. 14 918 The footpath ran over an open moor and was unfenced.
b. Not provided with a ledge, guard, or the like.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > [adjective] > open or not enclosed > not provided with a ledge, guard, etc.
unfenced1683
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > [adjective] > protected or defended > protected by a shield (of apparatus, etc.) > not
unfenced1894
1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. 313 He might draw too great a body of Inck to the unfenced sides; so that the Inck would be subject to run off.
1894 Daily News 4 July 3/3 Machine after machine was found thus unfenced, the workpeople being too indifferent to take the trouble of putting them on.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1548