sconce

(skäns)

noun

a bracket attached to a wall for holding a candle, candles, or the like

Origin: ME sconse, aphetic < OFr esconse, dark lantern < pp. of escondre, to hide < L abscondere: see abscond

noun

  1. a small fort, bulwark, etc.
  2. Archaic
    1. a hut, shed, or other shelter
    2. a helmet or the like
    3. the head or skull; also, brains; good sense

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

transitive verb sconced, sconcing

  1. to provide with a sconce (sense )
  2. to shelter or protect

transitive verb sconced, sconcing

to fine; esp., at Oxford University, to fine lightly for a breach of manners

Origin: < ?

noun

such a fine

See sconce in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
A small defensive earthwork or fort.

Origin:

Origin: Dutch schans

Origin: , from German Schanze

Origin: , from Middle High German

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noun
  1. A decorative wall bracket for holding candles or lights.
  2. A flattened candlestick that has a handle.
  3. Slang The human head or skull.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French esconse, lantern, hiding place

Origin: , from Medieval Latin scōnsa

Origin: , from Latin abscōnsa

Origin: , feminine past participle of abscondere, to hide away

Origin: : ab-, abs-, away; see ab-1

Origin: + condere, to preserve; see dhē- in Indo-European roots

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