A sconce is a decorated object that holds candles or an electric light, and that is attached to the wall of a room.
sconce in British English1
(skɒns)
noun
1.
a bracket fixed to a wall for holding candles or lights
2.
a flat candlestick with a handle
Word origin
C14: from Old French esconse hiding place, lantern, or from Late Latin sconsa, from absconsa dark lantern
sconce in British English2
(skɒns)
noun
a small protective fortification, such as an earthwork
Word origin
C16: from Dutch schans, from Middle High German schanze bundle of brushwood
sconce in British English(at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, esp formerly)3
(skɒns)
verb(transitive)
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
3.
the act of sconcing
4.
a mug or tankard used in sconcing
Word origin
C17: of obscure origin
sconce in British English4
(skɒns)
noun archaic
1.
the head or skull
2.
sense, brain, or wit
Word origin
C16: probably jocular use of sconce1
sconce in American English1
(skɑns)
noun
a bracket attached to a wall for holding a candle, candles, or the like
Word origin
ME sconse, aphetic < OFr esconse, dark lantern < pp. of escondre, to hide < L abscondere: see abscond
sconce in American English2
(skɑns)
noun
1.
a small fort, bulwark, etc.
2. Archaic
a.
a hut, shed, or other shelter
b.
a helmet or the like
c.
the head or skull; also, brains; good sense
verb transitiveWord forms: sconced or ˈsconcing Obsolete
3.
to provide with a sconce2 (sense 1)
4.
to shelter or protect
Word origin
Du schans, fortress, orig., wickerwork, wicker basket < Ger schanze < It scanso, defense < scansare, to avoid < VL *excampsare < ex-, away + *campsare, to sail around < Gr kampsai, aorist of kamptein, to bend; akin to L campus: see campus
sconce in American English3
(skɑns)
verb transitiveWord forms: sconced or ˈsconcing
1.
to fine; esp., at Oxford University, to fine lightly for a breach of manners
noun
2.
such a fine
Examples of 'sconce' in a sentence
sconce
The Countess pulled a thick candle from a sconce and lit it over the fire.
Fidelis Morgan THE RIVAL QUEENS: A COUNTESS ASHBY DE LA ZOUCHE MYSTERY (2002)
The Colonel reached up and pressed the switch hidden in the candle sconce, the concealed panel swung open.
Babson, Marian WEEKEND FOR MURDER (2002)
The Countess walked briskly through the candlelit foyer, taking a smart glimpse of herself in a mirrored sconce.
Fidelis Morgan THE RIVAL QUEENS: A COUNTESS ASHBY DE LA ZOUCHE MYSTERY (2002)
Only one sconce holding a single candle lit the corridor, casting a weak glow by the intersection behind them.