fess

¹

or fesse

[ fes ]

noun

, Heraldry.

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

fess

²

[ fes ]

fess

³

[ fes ]

noun

, Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S.

1. a teacher.

fess

/ fɛs /

verb

1. informal.
   intrfoll byup to make a confession

Word History and Origins

Origin of fess¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English fes(se), veece, fesshe, from Old French, ultimately from Latin fascia fascia

Origin of fess²

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; shortening of confess

Origin of fess³

First recorded in 1905–10; shortening of professor

Word History and Origins

Origin of fess¹

C19: shortened from confess

Example Sentences

Yele Haiti did fess up to paying you $100,000 for a benefit concert in Monaco.

From The Daily Beast

In Britain, Prime Minister David Cameron asks British blokes to fess up about their fantasies—for the good of the children.

From The Daily Beast

After initial denials, Quayle was eventually forced to fess up to composing the salacious posts.

From The Daily Beast

Yes, McGwire did finally fess up during an interview with Bob Costas in 2010.

From The Daily Beast

This makes the third date a natural moment to fess up about any contagious diseases.

From The Daily Beast

Ensigned on the top as before all betwixt a decrescent and a star in fess or.

From Project Gutenberg

That's easy enough to say, McLean; but ten to one you've got some snap picked out for you already, now 'fess up, ain't you?

From Project Gutenberg

If wed done something perfectly mean and putrid Id say fess up and take the medicine, but we havent.

From Project Gutenberg

I have seen an imperfect drawing of the arms, Party per fess, a goblet transpierced with a dagger.

From Project Gutenberg

Of course I thought that maybe Id ought to fess up that I wasnt meor, rather, youand let some one else kick.

From Project Gutenberg