sconce

1
[ skons ]
See synonyms for sconce on Thesaurus.com
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.

Origin of sconce

1
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

Other definitions for sconce (2 of 4)

sconce2
[ 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.

Origin of sconce

2
First recorded in 1565–75; from Dutch schans, from German Schanze “entrenchment, fieldwork,” originally “bundle of sticks or wood; fagot”; see ensconce

Other definitions for sconce (3 of 4)

sconce3
[ 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.

Origin of sconce

3
First recorded in 1610–20; origin uncertain

Other definitions for sconce (4 of 4)

sconce4
[ skons ]

noun
  1. the head or skull.

  2. sense or wit.

Origin of sconce

4
First recorded in 1560–70; origin uncertain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use sconce in a sentence

  • A stairway wound upward lit at intervals by flickering sconces.

    God Wills It! | William Stearns Davis
  • As the sconces either side were lit her delicate shoulders and pale lovely face were reflected in the dark depths of the mirror.

    The Rake's Progress | Marjorie Bowen
  • The little church was lighted with candles stuck in tin sconces nailed to the wall, and was dim enough.

  • The room was lit up by means of a number of tallow candles, stuck in tin sconces round the walls.

    Hudson Bay | R.M. Ballantyne
  • They had polished brass sconces fastened everywhere to the walls, Mistress Wadsworth said.

    Boys and Girls of Colonial Days | Carolyn Sherwin Bailey

British Dictionary definitions for sconce (1 of 4)

sconce1

/ (skɒns) /


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

  2. a flat candlestick with a handle

Origin of sconce

1
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)

sconce2

/ (skɒns) /


noun
  1. a small protective fortification, such as an earthwork

Origin of sconce

2
C16: from Dutch schans, from Middle High German schanze bundle of brushwood

British Dictionary definitions for sconce (3 of 4)

sconce3

/ (skɒns) ((at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, esp formerly)) /


verb(tr)
  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

Origin of sconce

3
C17: of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for sconce (4 of 4)

sconce4

/ (skɒns) /


nounarchaic
  1. the head or skull

  2. sense, brain, or wit

Origin of sconce

4
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