Verb
fence the tables (third-person singular simple present fences the tables, present participle fencing the tables, simple past and past participle fenced the tables)
(Scotland, Christianity, historical, idiomatic) To make a solemn address to those who present themselves to commune at the Lord's Supper, on the feelings appropriate to the service, in order to hinder, so far as possible, those who are unworthy from approaching the table.