Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Fender
Fen′der
,Noun.
One who or that which defends or protects by warding off harm
; as: (a)
A screen to prevent coals or sparks of an open fire from escaping to the floor.
(b)
Anything serving as a cushion to lessen the shock when a vessel comes in contact with another vessel or a wharf.
(c)
A screen to protect a carriage from mud thrown off the wheels: also, a splashboard.
(d)
Anything set up to protect an exposed angle, as of a house, from damage by carriage wheels.
Webster 1828 Edition
Fender
FEND'ER
, n.1.
That which defends; an utensil employed to hinder coals of fire from rolling forward to the floor.2.
A piece of timber or other thing hung over the side of a vessel to prevent it from striking or rubbing against a wharf, also to preserve a small vessel from being injured by a large one.