sconce
1
[ skons ]
/ skɒns /
noun
a bracket for candles or other lights, placed on a wall, mirror, picture frame, etc.
the hole or socket of a candlestick, for holding the candle.
Origin of sconce
1
1350–1400; Middle English
sconce, sconse (< Old French
esconce) < Medieval Latin
scōnsa, aphetic variant of
abscōnsa, noun use of feminine past participle of
abscondere to conceal; see
abscond
Words nearby sconce
scolopendrid,
scolopendrium,
scombrid,
scombroid,
scombroid poisoning,
sconce,
sconcheon,
sconcheon arch,
scone,
scooby doo,
scoop
Definition for sconce (2 of 4)
sconce
2
[ skons ]
/ skɒns /
noun
Fortification.
a small detached fort or defense work, as to defend a pass, bridge, etc.
a protective screen or shelter.
verb (used with object), sconced, sconc·ing.
Fortification.
to protect with a sconce.
Obsolete.
to protect; shelter.
Origin of sconce
2
1565–75; < Dutch
schans < German
Schanze, orig. bundle of wood; compare
ensconse
Definition for sconce (3 of 4)
sconce
3
[ skons ]
/ skɒns /
verb (used with object), sconced, sconc·ing.
(at English universities, especially formerly) to fine (an undergraduate) for a breach of rules or etiquette.
noun
a fine so imposed.
Origin of sconce
3
First recorded in 1610–20; origin uncertain
Definition for sconce (4 of 4)
sconce
4
[ skons ]
/ skɒns /
noun
the head or skull.
sense or wit.
Origin of sconce
4
First recorded in 1560–70; origin uncertain
Example sentences from the Web for sconce
British Dictionary definitions for sconce (1 of 4)
sconce
1
/ (skɒns) /
noun
a bracket fixed to a wall for holding candles or lights
a flat candlestick with a handle
Word Origin for sconce
C14: from Old French
esconse hiding place, lantern, or from Late Latin
sconsa, from
absconsa dark lantern
British Dictionary definitions for sconce (2 of 4)
sconce
2
/ (skɒns) /
noun
a small protective fortification, such as an earthwork
Word Origin for sconce
C16: from Dutch
schans, from Middle High German
schanze bundle of brushwood
British Dictionary definitions for sconce (3 of 4)
sconce
3
/ (skɒns) ((at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, esp formerly)) /
verb (tr)
to challenge (a fellow student) on the grounds of a social misdemeanour to drink a large quantity of beer without stopping
obsolete
to fine (a student) for some minor misdemeanour
noun
the act of sconcing
a mug or tankard used in sconcing
Word Origin for sconce
C17: of obscure origin
British Dictionary definitions for sconce (4 of 4)
sconce
4
/ (skɒns) /
noun archaic
the head or skull
sense, brain, or wit
Word Origin for sconce
C16: probably jocular use of
sconce
1