What is "fender"

Fender \Fen"der\, n. [From Fend, v. t. & i., cf. Defender.] One who or that which defends or protects by warding off harm; as:

1. A screen to prevent coals or sparks of an open fire from escaping to the floor.

2. Anything serving as a cushion to lessen the shock when a vessel comes in contact with another vessel or a wharf.

3. A screen to protect a carriage from mud thrown off the wheels: also, a splashboard.

4. Anything set up to protect an exposed angle, as of a house, from damage by carriage wheels.

late 13c., shortening of defender. Originally something hung over the side to protect the hull of a ship at a wharf, pier, etc. Of fireplaces since 1680s; of automobiles from 1919. Fender-bender "minor automobile accident" is from 1958.

n. 1 (context US English) panel of a car which encloses the wheel area, especially the front wheels 2 (context US English) a shield, usually of plastic or metal, on a bicycle that protects the rider from mud or water 3 (context nautical English) Any shaped cushion-like object normally made from polymers, rubber or wood that is placed along the sides of a boat to prevent damage when moored alongside another vessel or jetty, or when using a lock, etc. Modern variations are cylindrical although older wooden version and rubbing strips can still be found; old tyres are used as a cheap substitute 4 A low metal framework in front of a fireplace, intended to catch hot coals, soot, and ash

1. n. a barrier that surrounds the wheels of a vehicle to block splashing water or mud; "in England they call a fender a wing" [syn: wing]

2. an inclined metal frame at the front of a locomotive to clear the track [syn: buffer, cowcatcher, pilot]

3. a low metal guard to confine falling coals to a hearth

4. a cushion-like device that reduces shock due to contact [syn: buffer]

Fender is the American English term for the part of an automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle body that frames a wheel well (the fender underside). Its primary purpose is to prevent sand, mud, rocks, liquids, and other road spray from being thrown into the air by the rotating tire. Fenders are typically rigid and can be damaged by contact with the road surface. Instead, flexible mud flaps are used close to the ground where contact may be possible.

Sticky materials such as mud may adhere to the smooth outer tire surface, while smooth loose objects such as stones can become temporarily embedded in the tread grooves as the tire rolls over the ground. These materials can be ejected from the surface of the tire at high velocity as the tire imparts kinetic energy to the attached objects. For a vehicle moving forward, the top of the tire is rotating upward and forward, and can throw objects into the air at other vehicles or pedestrians in front of the vehicle.

In British English, the fender is called the wing (this usually refers only to the panels over the front wheel arches, in modern cars, since the rear 'fenders' are more an integral part of the car's body shape). The equivalent component of a bicycle or motorcycle, or the "cycle wing" style of wing fitted to vintage cars, or over tires on lorries which is not integral with the bodywork, is called a mudguard in Britain, as it guards other road users - and in the case of a bicycle or motorcycle, the rider as well - from mud, and spray, thrown up by the wheels.

In modern Indian and Sri Lankan English usage, the wing is called a mudguard. However, the term mudguard appears to have been in use in the U.S. at one point. The American author E.B. White, in an October 1940 Harper's essay, Motor Cars, refers to "...mudguards, or 'fenders' as the younger generation calls them."

In German, it is known as a Kotflügel (mud wing).

In the United States, a minor car accident is often called a " fender bender".

Fender may refer to:

• Fender (vehicle) or wing, a part of a motor vehicle that frames a wheel well
• Fender (boating), a bumper used to keep boats from banging into docks or each other
• Fender (surname), a surname
• Fender, Arkansas, a community in the United States
• Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, a U.S. manufacturer of stringed musical instruments and amplifiers
• Fender Pinwheeler, a fictional character in the 2005 film Robots
• A fireplace accessory
• A part of a Western saddle

Fender is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:

• Andrew Fender, British local politician
• Brian Fender, British academic administrator
• Chuck Fender (born 1972), American music artist
• Freddy Fender (1937–2006), Mexican-American musician
• Leo Fender (1909–1991), American guitar maker, founder of the eponymous company
• Norman Fender (1910-1983), Welsh dual-code rugby international player
• Percy Fender (1892–1985), English cricketer

In boating, a fender is a bumper used to absorb the kinetic energy of a boat or vessel berthing against a jetty, quay wall or other vessel. Fenders are used to prevent damage to boats, vessels and berthing structures. To do this, fenders usually have high energy absorption and low reaction force. Fenders are typically manufactured out of rubber, foam elastomer or plastic. Rubber fenders are either extruded or made in a mould. The type of fender that is most suitable for an application depends on many variables, including dimensions and displacement of the vessel, maximum allowable stand-off, berthing structure, tidal variations and other berth-specific conditions. The size of the fender unit is based on the berthing energy of the vessel which is related to the square of the berthing velocity.

Historically, fenders were woven from rope in a variety of patterns. Fenders of woven rope are still used today by historic boat owners.

Yachts, small leisure craft and support vessels typically have mobile fenders which are placed between the boat and the dock as the boat approaches the dock. Docks and other marine structures, such as canal entrances and bases of bridges, have permanent fenders placed to avoid damage from boats. Old tires are often used as fenders in such places.

Dock Rubber Fender is an elastic buffer device of rubber use of ships dock edge. Mainly used to slow the ship and dock impact, or between ships in dock impact, or mooring process impact, to prevent or eliminate damage to a ship or dock Usually the rubber fender according to the structure can be divided into two categories: solid rubber fender and floating type rubber fender.