FESS

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does fess mean? 

• FESS (noun)
  The noun FESS has 1 sense:

1. (heraldry) an ordinary consisting of a broad horizontal band across a shield

  Familiarity information: FESS used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FESS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(heraldry) an ordinary consisting of a broad horizontal band across a shield

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

fess; fesse

Hypernyms ("fess" is a kind of...):

ordinary ((heraldry) any of several conventional figures used on shields)

Domain category:

heraldry (the study and classification of armorial bearings and the tracing of genealogies)

 Context examples 

I shall tell them myself all about it, and 'fess' to Mother how silly I've been.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

‘Lord Robert Walsingham de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.’ Hum! ‘Arms: Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Argent,” Alleyne answered, “a fess azure charged with three lozenges dividing three mullets sable. Over all, on an escutcheon of the first, a jambe gules.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"You know you have—you can't hide anything, so up and 'fess, or I won't tell," cried Laurie.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

It hath ever grieved me that I had not his name, for he smote upon me with a mace and went upon his way ere I was in condition to have much speech with him; but his arms were an allurion in chief above a fess azure.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

So, come and 'fess, Teddy.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Marmee, I want to 'fess'.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)