fess

1

or fesse

[ fes ]
/ fɛs /

noun Heraldry.

an ordinary in the form of a broad horizontal band across the middle of an escutcheon.

Origin of fess

1
1350–1400; Middle English fesse < Anglo-French ≪ Latin fascia fascia

Definition for fess (2 of 3)

fess 2
[ fes ]
/ fɛs /

Verb Phrases

fess up, Informal. to admit or concede, especially freely.

Origin of fess

2
First recorded in 1830–40; aphetic shortening of confess

Definition for fess (3 of 3)

fess 3

or fes·sor

[ fes or fes-er ]
/ fɛs or ˈfɛs ər /

noun Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S.

a teacher.

Origin of fess

3
shortening of professor

Example sentences from the Web for fess

British Dictionary definitions for fess

fess
/ (fɛs) /

verb

(intr foll by up) informal, mainly US to make a confession

Word Origin for fess

C19: shortened from confess