noun / verb
fence
Someone who buys and sells stolen goods, or to deal in them.
The thieves sell their stolen jewelry to a local fence.
Etymology
Fence is a shortening of defence. The criminal sense developed through protection or concealment associated with handling stolen property, then named the dealer who receives it.
More examples
- She fences stolen electronics through a network of buyers.
- Police arrest two fences who regularly buy stolen tools.
- He fenced the stolen watches for half their value.
Forms
fence · fences · fenced · fencing
Similar words
- receiver
- Emphasizes accepting stolen goods rather than buying and reselling them.
- trafficker
- Deals in illegal goods, not necessarily stolen property.