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 /

noun

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

sconce

²

/ 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

³

/ skɒns /

noun

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

sconce

⁴

/ skɒns /

noun

1. a small protective fortification, such as an earthwork

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

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

Origin of sconce²

C17: of obscure origin

Origin of sconce³

C16: probably jocular use of sconce ¹

Origin of sconce⁴

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

Example Sentences

With limited economic resources, he began scouring online marketplaces to surround his Murphy bed with a cheap wooden table, a budget chandelier, battery-powered candles and modest wall sconces.

From Los Angeles Times

You don’t see these as much as you used to, but sconces are both a beautiful addition to a room and provide excellent ambient light.

From Seattle Times

Upstairs in the living room, she repainted window frames, switched out a wall sconce, and added a projector screen.

From Seattle Times

If you don’t have upper cabinets, one way to do this is to install simple sconces or pendants that project light down to the counters.

From Seattle Times

Low-cost porcelain lamp holders serve as sconces, and the bathroom is fitted with drop-in stainless steel sinks.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• candelabra