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
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
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Word Origin and History for sconce
sconce
late 14c., "candlestick with a screen," a shortening of Old French esconse "lantern, hiding place," from Medieval Latin sconsa, from Latin absconsa, fem. past participle of abscondere "to hide" (see abscond). Meaning "metal bracket-candlestick fastened to a wall" is recorded from mid-15c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper