- sconce
- sconcesconce1 [skäns]n.[ME sconse, aphetic < OFr esconse, dark lantern < pp. of escondre, to hide < L abscondere: see ABSCOND]a bracket attached to a wall for holding a candle, candles, or the likesconce2 [skäns]n.[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]1. a small fort, bulwark, etc.2. Archaica) a hut, shed, or other shelterb) a helmet or the likec) the head or skull; also, brains; good sensevt.sconced, sconcing Obs.1. to provide with a SCONCE2 (sense 1)2. to shelter or protectsconce3 [skäns]vt.sconced, sconcing [< ?]to fine; esp., at Oxford University, to fine lightly for a breach of mannersn.such a fine
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.