sconce

¹

[ skons ]

noun

1. a bracket for candles or other lights, placed on a wall, mirror, picture frame, etc.
2. the hole or socket of a candlestick, for holding the candle.

sconce

²

[ skons ]

noun

1. Fortification. a small detached fort or defense work, as to defend a pass, bridge, etc.
2. a protective screen or shelter.

verb (used with object)

, sconced, sconc·ing.

1. Fortification. to protect with a sconce.
2. Obsolete. to protect; shelter.

sconce

³

[ skons ]

verb (used with object)

, sconced, sconc·ing.

1. (at English universities, especially formerly) to fine (an undergraduate) for a breach of rules or etiquette.

noun

1. a fine so imposed.

sconce

⁴

[ skons ]

noun

1. the head or skull.
2. sense or wit.

sconce

¹

/ skɒns /

verb

1. to challenge (a fellow student) on the grounds of a social misdemeanour to drink a large quantity of beer without stopping
2. obsolete.
   to fine (a student) for some minor misdemeanour

noun

1. the act of sconcing
2. a mug or tankard used in sconcing

sconce

²

/ skɒns /

noun

1. a small protective fortification, such as an earthwork

sconce

³

/ skɒns /

noun

1. a bracket fixed to a wall for holding candles or lights
2. a flat candlestick with a handle

sconce

⁴

/ skɒns /

noun

1. the head or skull
2. sense, brain, or wit

Word History and Origins

Origin of sconce¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English sconce, sconse, from Old French esconce, or directly from Medieval Latin scōnsa, shortening of abscōnsa, noun use of feminine past participle of abscondere “to conceal”; abscond

Origin of sconce²

First recorded in 1565–75; from Dutch schans, from German Schanze “entrenchment, fieldwork,” originally “bundle of sticks or wood; fagot”; ensconce ( def )

Origin of sconce³

First recorded in 1610–20; origin uncertain

Origin of sconce⁴

First recorded in 1560–70; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of sconce¹

C17: of obscure origin

Origin of sconce²

C16: from Dutch schans, from Middle High German schanze bundle of brushwood

Origin of sconce³

C14: from Old French esconse hiding place, lantern, or from Late Latin sconsa, from absconsa dark lantern

Origin of sconce⁴

C16: probably jocular use of sconce ¹

Example Sentences

The person who cares for things unusual will find the candle sconce made of a cowhorn a suitable fixture for the den.

From Project Gutenberg

He placed the candle in a sconce on the wall, and then turned to the three.

From Project Gutenberg

A silver griffin of a sconce near by held a light in its claws, which fell full upon Cimburga and the miller's son.

From Project Gutenberg

Here and there a torch glimmered in a sconce against the wall, or a surgeon with a candle in his hand paused at a bedside.

From Project Gutenberg

He shut the window, drew curtains over it, switched off the lighted sconce, and went up-stairs.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• candelabra