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.
RELATED WORDS
candelabra, punish, levy, confiscate, pricket, menorah, extort, seize, alienate, tax, dock, mulct, amerce, exact, sequestrate
Nearby words
scolopendrid, scolopendrium, scombrid, scombroid, scombroid poisoning, sconce, sconcheon, sconcheon arch, scone, scooby doo, scoop
Origin of sconce
11350–1400; 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
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
21565–75; < 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
3First 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
4First recorded in 1560–70; origin uncertain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples 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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012