How Do You Spell FESS?

Pronunciation: [fˈɛs] (IPA)

The word "fess" is spelled with three letters, but it's pronunciation can often confuse English speakers. It is pronounced as /fɛs/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The spelling of "fess" stems from its French origin, where it stands for "faesse" meaning band or fillet. The word is typically used in Heraldry as a term for a central charge on a shield. While fess may be a small word, it demonstrates the complexity of the English language and how spelling can vary based on origin and usage.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Plural
Conjugate verb
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FESS Meaning and Definition

  1. Fess is a noun that primarily refers to a wide, vertical band located in the center of a coat of arms. It is a common heraldic device that divides the shield into two equal parts horizontally and extends from the top to the bottom. The fess acts as a distinctive feature in coat of arms designs and often represents a horizontal object or a representation of a belt or girdle.

    In addition to its heraldic usage, fess can also function as a verb. As a verb, fess means to confess or admit to a wrongdoing or an error. It is an informal or colloquial term used to describe the act of acknowledging one's mistake or accepting responsibility for a particular action. Fessing up is often associated with being honest, open, and forthright about one's deeds or misdeeds.

    The term "fess" is derived from the Old French word "fesse," meaning "band" or "girdle." Its usage in heraldry dates back to the medieval period when coats of arms were commonly used to identify individuals, families, or groups. Over time, the word's broader meaning of admitting or confessing to something also emerged in the English language, indicating an acceptance or acknowledgment of one's actions or transgressions.

Common Misspellings for FESS

Etymology of FESS

The word "fess" has its origins in the French term "fesse", which means "a stripe or band". It entered the English language during the 16th century and initially referred to the middle third of a shield in heraldry, which is a vertical stripe or band positioned between the upper third (chief) and lower third (base). Over time, "fess" expanded its meaning beyond heraldry and came to denote a horizontal band or stripe used in various contexts.

Idioms with the word FESS

  • fess up (to something) The idiom "fess up (to something)" means to confess or admit something, usually a wrongdoing or a mistake. It implies taking responsibility for one's actions or revealing the truth about something that was previously concealed or denied.
  • fess up (to sth) The idiom "fess up (to sth)" means to admit or confess to something, especially when it is a wrongdoing or mistake. It implies taking responsibility for one's actions or revealing the truth after initially denying or hiding it. It often involves owning up to one's role in a situation, acknowledging one's faults, and being honest about what has happened.

Similar spelling words for FESS

Plural form of FESS is FESSES

Conjugate verb Fess

CONDITIONAL

I would fess
you would fess
he/she/it would fess
we would fess
they would fess

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be fessing
you would be fessing
he/she/it would be fessing
we would be fessing
they would be fessing

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have fess
you would have fess
he/she/it would have fess
we would have fess
they would have fess

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been fessing
you would have been fessing
he/she/it would have been fessing
we would have been fessing
they would have been fessing

FUTURE

I will fess
you will fess
he/she/it will fess
we will fess
they will fess

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be fessing
you will be fessing
he/she/it will be fessing
we will be fessing
they will be fessing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have fessed
you will have fessed
he/she/it will have fessed
we will have fessed
they will have fessed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been fessing
you will have been fessing
he/she/it will have been fessing
we will have been fessing
they will have been fessing

IMPERATIVE

you fess
we let´s fess

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to fess

PAST

I fessed
you fessed
he/she/it fessed
we fessed
they fessed

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was fessing
you were fessing
he/she/it was fessing
we were fessing
they were fessing

PAST PARTICIPLE

fessed

PAST PERFECT

I had fessed
you had fessed
he/she/it had fessed
we had fessed
they had fessed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been fessing
you had been fessing
he/she/it had been fessing
we had been fessing
they had been fessing

PRESENT

I fess
you fess
he/she/it fesses
we fess
they fess

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am fessing
you are fessing
he/she/it is fessing
we are fessing
they are fessing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

fessing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have fessed
you have fessed
he/she/it has fessed
we have fessed
they have fessed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been fessing
you have been fessing
he/she/it has been fessing
we have been fessing
they have been fessing
I would have fessed
we would have fessed
you would have fessed
he/she/it would have fessed
they would have fessed

Infographic

Correct spelling for fess
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