sconce

¹ American  

[skons] / skɒns /

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.

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sconce ² American  

[skons] / skɒns /

noun

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

2. a protective screen or shelter.

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verb (used with object)

sconced, sconcing

1. Fortification. to protect with a sconce.

2. Obsolete. to protect; shelter.

sconce ³ American  

[skons] / skɒns /

verb (used with object)

sconced, sconcing

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

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noun

1. a fine so imposed.

sconce ⁴ American  

[skons] / skɒns /

noun

1. the head or skull.

2. sense or wit.

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sconce ¹ British  

/ 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

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noun

1. the act of sconcing

2. a mug or tankard used in sconcing

sconce ² British  

/ skɒns /

noun

1. a bracket fixed to a wall for holding candles or lights

2. a flat candlestick with a handle

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sconce ³ British  

/ skɒns /

noun

1. the head or skull

2. sense, brain, or wit

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sconce ⁴ British  

/ skɒns /

noun

1. a small protective fortification, such as an earthwork

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Etymology

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”; see origin at abscond

Origin of sconce²

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

Origin of sconce³

First recorded in 1610–20; origin uncertain

Origin of sconce⁴

First recorded in 1560–70; origin uncertain

Explanation

A sconce is a wall-mounted candle holder or light fixture. The hallway in your house might be lit by an electric sconce on the wall. The noun sconce can be used in two ways. First, a light that hangs on a wall is a sconce, whether it's an electric light in a wall bracket or a flaming torch mounted in a castle's corridor. The other kind of sconce is a castle or city fortification that's meant to protect against both enemies and bad weather. Both kinds of sconce come from the Old French esconse, "lantern or hiding place," with the Latin root abscondere, "to hide."

Example Sentences

Several victims who were duped by Sconce also offer testimonials about the deception.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2025

Just over the threshold, stairs lined with Stick Sconce lights — a modern variant of antique metal sconces — lead to a very spacious room.

From New York Times • Oct. 3, 2018

To Sconce, the panic plays a “symbolic function” for American culture—we retell the story because we need a cautionary tale about the power of media.

From Slate • Oct. 29, 2013

Then last January a fire inspector uncovered evidence that Proprietors Laurieanne Sconce, 52, her husband Jerry, 54, and their son David, 32, had found unsavory ways to exploit their growing cremation business.

From Time Magazine Archive

Sconce, who saw the will written and who was one of the attesting witnesses.

From The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 10 (of 12) Dresden Edition?Legal by Ingersoll, Robert Green

Related Words

• confiscate
• levy
• punish