KJV Dictionary Definition: fleece

fleece

FLEECE, n. flees. L. vellus, from vello, to pluck or tear off.

The coat of wool shorn from a sheep at one time.

FLEECE, v.t.

1. To shear off a covering or growth of wool.

2. To strip of money or property; to take from, by severe exactions, under color of law or justice, or pretext of necessity, or by virtue of authority. Arbitrary princes fleece their subjects; and clients complain that they are sometimes fleeced by their lawyers.

This word is rarely or never used for plundering in war by a licentious soldiery; but is properly used to express a stripping by contributions levied on a conquered people.

3. To spread over as with wool; to make white.

fleeced

FLEE'CED, pp. Stripped by severe exactions.

FLEE'CED, a. Furnished with a fleece or with fleeces; as, a sheep is well fleeced.

fleecing

FLEE'CING, ppr. Stripping of money or property by severe demands of fees, taxes or contributions.