sconcen.1
/skɒns/, U.S. /skɑns/ a. A lantern or candlestick with a screen to protect the light from the wind, and a handle to carry it by (as distinguished from a lantern carried suspended from a chain). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > [noun] > lamp > lantern > types of
sconcec1392
Muscovy lantern1606
sconcer1731
talc light1808
stirrup lantern1824
mistress1848
bull's-eye1851
midgy1893
c1392 in J. Raine Fabric Rolls York Minster (1859) 129 Pro reparacione de iij skonses fractis in vestiario, 12 d.
1434 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 102 Y bequethe..to..sir Iohn Russhebrok a skonce.
a1450 St. Etheldreda (Faust.) 351 in C. Horstmann Altengl. Legenden (1881) 2nd Ser. 290 And in a sconsce he hadde hurre candelle with hurre lyȝt.
1450 Pol. Rel. & L. Poems 11 It wexyth derke, thou nedyst A scons.
1486 Bk. St. Albans d ij b Clymbe to her with a sconce or a lanterne that hath bot oon light.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 268/1 Scons to sette a candell in, lanterne a mayn.
1602 T. Dekker Blurt Master-Constable sig. F4 Wood. Yonder's a light Master Constable. Blu. Peace woodcocke the sconce approaches.
c1660 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1644 (1955) II. 282 The windows of the whole Citty set with innumerable Tapers,..put into lanterns or sconces of severall colour'd oyl'd papers.
?1746 ‘T. Bobbin’ View Lancs. Dial. 16 It begunt' be dark, on I'r beawt Sconce, in o straunge Country.
b. A flat candlestick with a handle for carrying.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > candle > support or holder for a candle > [noun] > candlestick > with broad stand and short stem
flat candlestick1493
sconce1834
1834 S. Lover Legends & Stories Ireland 2nd Ser. 190 Put a candle in the tin sconce.
1858 M. Oliphant Laird of Norlaw I. v. 55 Taking the candle..she stood with the little flat brass sconce in her hand.
1897 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang Sconce (public schools), a tin candlestick.
2. A bracket-candlestick, usually of brass or iron, to fasten against a wall; esp. an ornamental bracket for holding one or more candles, often fitted with a mirror. Also, a candle-bracket for a piano, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > candle > support or holder for a candle > [noun] > candlestick > with wall bracket
sconce?c1450
sconce candlestick1455
perk1475
perch1565
girandole1769
wall shade1826
swape1867
?c1450 in G. J. Aungier Hist. & Antiq. Syon Monastery (1840) 363 The mynyster of hyghe masse schal..lyght the quyer sconses..as ofte as nede is.
1509–10 in H. Littlehales Medieval Rec. London City Church (1905) 270 Paid for iij plattes with nosis for þe skonsis ij d.
1662 S. Pepys Diary 4 Jan. (1970) III. 3 Seeing how my pewter Sconces that I have bought will become my stayres and entry.
1685 J. Dryden tr. Lucretius ii, in Sylvæ 57 If Golden Sconces hang not on the Walls, To light the costly Suppers and the Balls.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 381/2 The forms..of these..Sconces, are numberless; some having them with Faces, others with Birds, Beasts, Fish, Trees and Flowers; some with round or oval imbossed works.
1706 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. 4 Dec. (O.H.S.) I. 310 Mr. Thomas Cherry was buried on Wednesday... The Rooms were very handsomely set out wth black sconces &c. proper for such occasions.
1745 J. Swift Direct. to Servants 26 Stick the Candle so loose, that it will fall upon the Glass of the Sconce, and break it into Shatters.
1755 S. Johnson Dict. Eng. Lang. Sconce, a pensile candlestick, generally with a looking-glass to reflect the light.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth I. vi. 119 The dark colour..was relieved by the number of lights in silver sconces, which hung against the walls.
1859 W. Collins Queen of Hearts I. 123 This strange scene was lighted up by candles in high and heavy brass sconces.
1881 W. Besant & J. Rice Chaplain of Fleet II. iv. 76 Wax candles, arranged upon the walls on sconces.
1908–9 Civil Service Supply Assoc. Catal. 1212 Piano Candle Sconces.
1908–9 Civil Service Supply Assoc. Catal. 1241 Adjustable shaving stand..with..Sconces and best mirror.
3. A street-lamp or lantern attached to a wall.Only in descriptions of Continental life.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > [noun] > lamp > outdoor lamp
street light1819
sconce1849
tiki torch1939
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > street > [noun] > street-lamp
street lamp1781
street light1819
sconce1849
1849 G. P. R. James Woodman I. ii. 24 A sconce was lighted on the side of the nunnery.
1873 ‘Ouida’ Pascarèl I. 176 The oil wicks were lighted in the iron sconces of the streets.
4. The tube in an ordinary candlestick in which the candle is inserted.
ΚΠ
1850 J. Ogilvie Imperial Dict.
Compounds
General attributive.
sconce candlestick n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > candle > support or holder for a candle > [noun] > candlestick > with wall bracket
sconce?c1450
sconce candlestick1455
perk1475
perch1565
girandole1769
wall shade1826
swape1867
1455 in Anstey Munim. Acad. (Rolls) II. 664 j. scons candelstik of latone.
sconce light n.
ΚΠ
1479 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 427 Skonce light.
sconce maker n.
ΚΠ
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 268/1 Sconsmaker, lanternier.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 381/2 S. the like O. with a Candle burning in the Socket proper, is the Badge of the Sconce~makers.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
sconcen.2
/skɒns/, U.S. /skɑns/ archaic.
A jocular term for: The head; esp. the crown or top of the head; hence, ‘head’, ability, sense, wit. †Also put for the person himself.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > person > [noun]
hadc900
lifesmaneOE
maneOE
world-maneOE
ghostOE
wyeOE
lifeOE
son of manOE
wightc1175
soulc1180
earthmanc1225
foodc1225
person?c1225
creaturec1300
bodyc1325
beera1382
poppetc1390
flippera1400
wat1399
corsec1400
mortal?a1425
deadly?c1450
hec1450
personagec1485
wretcha1500
human1509
mundane1509
member1525
worma1556
homo1561
piece of flesh1567
sconce1567
squirrel?1567
fellow creature1572
Adamite1581
bloat herringa1586
earthling1593
mother's child1594
stuff1598
a piece of flesh1600
wagtail1607
bosom1608
fragment1609
boots1623
tick1631
worthy1649
earthlies1651
snap1653
pippin1665
being1666
personal1678
personality1678
sooterkin1680
party1686
worldling1687
human being1694
water-wagtail1694
noddle1705
human subject1712
piece of work1713
somebody1724
terrestrial1726
anybody1733
individual1742
character1773
cuss1775
jig1781
thingy1787
bod1788
curse1790
his nabs1790
article1796
Earthite1814
critter1815
potato1815
personeityc1816
nibs1821
somebody1826
tellurian1828
case1832
tangata1840
prawn1845
nigger1848
nut1856
Snooks1860
mug1865
outfit1867
to deliver the goods1870
hairpin1879
baby1880
possum1894
hot tamale1895
babe1900
jobbie1902
virile1903
cup of tea1908
skin1914
pisser1918
number1919
job1927
apple1928
mush1936
face1944
jong1956
naked ape1965
oke1970
punter1975
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > [noun]
nolleOE
headOE
topa1225
copc1264
scalpa1300
chiefc1330
crownc1330
jowla1400
poll?a1400
testea1400
ball in the hoodc1400
palleta1425
noddle?1507
costard?1515
nab?1536
neck1560
coxcomb1567
sconce1567
now1568
headpiece1579
mazer1581
mazardc1595
cockcomb1602
costrel1604
cranion1611
pasha1616
noddle pate1622
block1635
cranium1647
sallet1652
poundrel1664
nob1699
crany?1730
knowledge box1755
noodle1762
noggin1769
napper1785
garret1796
pimple1811
knowledge-casket1822
coco1828
cobbra1832
coconut1834
top-piece1838
nut1841
barnet1857
twopenny1859
chump1864
topknot1869
conk1870
masthead1884
filbert1886
bonce1889
crumpet1891
dome1891
roof1897
beanc1905
belfry1907
hat rack1907
melon1907
box1908
lemon1923
loaf1925
pound1933
sconec1945
nana1966
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > common sense > [noun]
witc1175
sensea1382
conscience1449
mother witc1475
common wit1517
common sense1536
philosophy1557
good sense?1562
sconce1567
mother-sense1603
ingenuity1651
bonsense1681
rumgumption1686
nous1706
gumption?1719
rummlegumption1751
savvy1785
horse sense1832
kokum1848
sabe1872
common1899
marbles1902
gump1920
loaf1925
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > top of head > [noun]
nolleOE
mouldOE
shodec1000
topa1225
patea1325
polla1325
hattrelc1330
skullc1380
foretop1382
pommelc1385
summita1425
sconce1567
vertex1634
cantle1822
1567 G. Turberville Epitaphes, Epigrams f. 105 A curled Sconce he hath, with angrie frowning browe.
1577 T. Kendall tr. Politianus et al. Flowers of Epigrammes f. 94v Bartlet a pleasant sconse, whose mirthe all men did muche delight.
1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. H2, in Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) Maister B. found Socrates in my Letter, and sent to seeke out your well reputed sconce to expound it.
1593 G. Harvey New Let. Notable Contents C 2 b The Princock..that can play vpon his warped sconce, as vpon a tabor.
1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy Democritus to Rdr. 64 Much learning..hath crackt their sconce.
1645 J. Milton Colasterion 25 How many are there..who have such a Fee simple in their sconse, as to take a Leas of their own Lands from another?
1647 J. Cleveland Poems in Char. London-diurnall (Wing C4662) 24 Who sweares &c. sweares more oathes at once Then Cerberus out of his Triple Sconce.
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker III. 91 He..running into the house, exposed his back and his sconce to the whole family.
1809 W. Irving Hist. N.Y. II. vi. vii. 149 Just as he was stooping to give the fatal blow,..Peter bestwoed him a sturdy thwack over the sconce.
1883 Cent. Mag. 26 915/2 To put it [the sum] up to twelve dollars..if she..showed any sconce for the business.
1888 J. Inglis Tent Life Tigerland 197 He had received a crack on the sconce.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
sconcen.3
/skɒns/, U.S. /skɑns/ 1. † b. figurative.
a. Fortification A small fort or earthwork; esp. one built to defend a ford, pass, castle-gate, etc., or erected as a counter-fort.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > fort or fortified town > [noun] > small fort
fortletc1330
forceleta1400
sconce1587
farelet1602
fortalice1642
fortin1706
α.
β. 1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres v. 141 To carrie victuals or munition..to a distressed Scance.1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres Gloss. 252 Skance, a Dutch word: and is a small fortresse built of turffe and earth, commonly vsed in the low countries.1632 P. Holland tr. Xenophon Cyrupædia 115 To the end it might be, as a warlike and defensive fortresse for themselves, so a strong skants, and offensive to the Assyrians.1675 London Gaz. No. 1017/1 They had beaten the Indians from a certain Scans, on the foresaid Promontory of Land.1587 J. Hooker Chron. Ireland 178/2 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II Caluerleigh..went vnto that end of the towne where the seneschall scaled the wals, & there he made a sconse, or a little bulworke, and..saued the towne.
1591 T. Digges L. Digges's Geom. Pract. Treatize: Pantometria (rev. ed.) i. xxxvi. 54 To make Plattes, and set downe the proportion of anye Sconces, Fortes, Bulwarkes, or Townes.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry V iii. vi. 73 They will learne by rote where seruices were done, At such and such a sconce, at such a breach.
1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. xv. 630/1 And raising the rampier to a great thicknes whereon he erected many sconces of earth like vnto Castles.
1639 R. Norwood Fortification 134 Of small Forts or Field Skonces, and marking them out Mechanically, and first of a Skonce of foure sides.
1656 P. Heylyn Surv. Estate France 11 Neither is there any of the least Sconces or Blockhouses, on the shore-side of that Countrey [Hampshire].
1673 Siege in W. Davenant Wks. ii. 67/1 The Outworks are made perfect, and our River Guarded by a Sconce.
1673 J. Moore Mod. Fortification 94 Of small Forts or Skonces, which are built for Defence of some Pass, River, or other place.
1727 A. Hamilton New Acct. E. Indies I. xiii. 147 The Citizens built Sconces in convenient Places, about half a Mile without the Wall, to protect the Suburbs.
a1754 T. Carte Gen. Hist. Eng. (1755) IV. 288 They had raised two sconces or breast-works over against two fords passable at low water.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth I. i. 12 [He] was shot at the head of his regiment at the taking in of a sconce near Maestricht.
1849 J. Grant Mem. Kirkaldy xxi. 246 The Earl of Morton and his troops..threw up a battery on the southern part of Calton Hill... This sconce they hoped would command the Canongate.
ΚΠ
c1592 F. Bacon Conf. Pleasure (1870) 23 It is her govermt and her gvermt alone that hath (bene ye) sconse and forte of all Europe.
1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iv. 50 Honour is but a puffe..Health but a sconce of paper.
1615 T. Adams Blacke Devill 55 If he loose the Sconce of the vnderstanding, yet giue him the Citadell of the affections.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) ii. ii. 37 And you vse these blows long, I must get a sconce for my head, and Insconce it to.
1633 T. Adams Comm. 2 Peter (i. 6) 133 All sinnes breake in at the losse of the Sconce or Capitoll; Reason.
1633 G. Herbert Church Porch in Temple xxii Look to thy mouth: diseases enter there. Thou hast two sconses, if thy stomach call; Carve, or discourse.
1647 N. Ward Simple Cobler Aggawam 6 To authorise an untruth..is to build a Sconce against the walls of Heaven.
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. iv. 148 This was one of the best bulwarks and sconces of Soveraignty.
a1670 J. Hacket Scrinia Reserata (1693) ii. 166 I spend too much time to pull down a Sconce of Sand.
1676 T. Hobbes tr. Homer Iliads iii. 221 Great Ajax, Who of the Argives is the Sconce [ἕρκος Ἀχαιῶν].
1711 in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. v. 198 Flanders was..to be garrisoned, to the end that it might be a sconce between them and France.
c. slang. †to build a sconce (see quot. 1730).
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > management of money > solvency > be solvent [verb (intransitive)] > take credit
creancec1386
to run into scores or in score1568
to run or go on or upon (the) score1568
score1594
to build a sconce1630
tick1648
to chalk ita1704
1630 R. Brathwait Eng. Gentleman 41 These have beene Men in their time,..but now their fortunes falling to an ebbe,..they are enforced..to erect a Sconce, whereto the Roarers make recourse, as to their Rendevou.
1640 T. Nabbes Bride iii. i By battering downe with th'engine of their purse Some sconch your drunken valour in a taverne Hath built with sack.
1649 Duke of Newcastle Country Captaine i. i. 7 Vnd. Hee shall read warrs to me and fortification. Tho. For a neede I could teach you to build a sconce Sir.
1687 [see sconce-building adj. at Compounds]. 1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew (at cited word) To build a large Sconce, to run deep upon Tick, or Trust.
a1704 T. Brown Lett. from Dead (new ed.) in Wks. (1707) II. ii. 211 A Lieutenant and Ensign, whom once I admitted upon trust,..built a Sconce and left me in the lurch.
1730 N. Bailey et al. Dictionarium Britannicum To build a Sconce, to run a Score at an Ale-house, Tavern, &c. so as to be afraid to go there, for fear of being dunn'd.
1760 C. Johnstone Chrysal I. ii. viii. 194 Cribbing from the till, and building sconces, and such like tricks.
1765 O. Goldsmith Ess. viii, in Misc. Wks. (1895) 307/2 He ran into debt with everybody that would trust him, and none could build a sconce better than he.
2. transferred. A protective screen or shelter (from fire or the elements).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > refuge or shelter > [noun] > shelter > a shelter > against weather or storms
screen1538
tent1572
shelter1585
sconce1591
shade1624
bothy1750
breakwind1823
watershed1831
1591 R. Bruce Serm. Edinb. sig. R3 We ar no more bot as stubble is to the fyre, so ar we in the presence of God, who is a consuming fyre, except we haue a sconce, except wee haue Christ Iesus to gang betuixt vs and him.
1616 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Scornful Ladie v. sig. I3v I am..a rascal: one that vpon the next anger of your brother, must raise a sconce by the high way, and sel switches.
a1670 J. Hacket Cent. Serm. (1675) 454 He would make small Sconces or Tabernacles upon the top of the Hill.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 449/1 Some call it [sc. an Umbrella] a Skonce, which Gentlewomen..beare up..to keep and shadow them from heat.
1730 A. Gordon tr. F. S. Maffei Compl. Hist. Anc. Amphitheatres ii. xiv. 348 The fervent Heat of the Sun made some kind of Sconce or other necessary at the Games.
3. dialect.
a. A screen, partition.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > wall of building > [noun] > interior or partition-wall
woughc888
wallOE
middle wallc1384
parclose1387
partitionc1450
screena1475
hallan1490
parpen wall1506
parpal walla1525
midwall1589
partition wall1605
inwall?1611
parpalling1621
screen work1648
sconce1695
stud partition1775
screening1850
scrap screen1873
parclose screen1889
1695 W. Kennett Parochial Antiq. at Helowe-wall Hollen in the North is a wall..to secure the family from the blasts of wind rushing in when the heck or door is open: to which wall on that side next the hearth is annext a sconce or screne of wood or stone.
1829 J. T. Brockett Gloss. North Country Words (new ed.) Sconce,..a short partition near the fire upon which all the bright utensils in a cottage are suspended.
1863 J. C. Atkinson Danby Gloss. Sconce, a screen..lined with some reflecting metal, which is set before the fire when a joint is roasting.
1876 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Words Whitby Sconce, a screen or partition.
b. (See quots.) [Perhaps a different word.]
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > seat > [noun] > at side of fireplace
chimney-corner1580
chimney-nooka1637
chimney-side1732
sconce1781
1781 J. Hutton Tour to Caves (ed. 2) Gloss. 95/1 Sconce, a fixed seat by the side of a fire place.
1829 J. T. Brockett Gloss. North Country Words (new ed.) Sconce, a seat at one side of the fire-place in the old large open chimney.
1885 H. Caine Shadow of Crime vi She cleared the sconce and took down the flitches that hung from the rannel tree to dry.
1886 A. Rea Beckside Boggle 4 A long freestone slab, or sconce, as dale folk call it, firmly fixed into the wall by the fireplace, which must have made a comfortable fireside couch in olden times.
4. (Also sconce-piece.) A low water-washed iceberg (see quot. 1856).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > ice > body of ice > iceberg > [noun] > low water-washed
sconce-piece1856
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. I. vii. 72 Just then, a broad sconce~piece or low water-washed berg came driving up... As the sconce moved rapidly close alongside us, McGary managed to plant an anchor on its slope.
1889 R. Collinson & T. B. Collinson Jrnl. H.M.S. Enterprise 1850–55 294 We..were..unable to see our way among the sconces, and..I hove-to for daylight.
Compounds
sconce-battle n. a particular mode of drawing up troops in the field.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > formation > [noun] > other formations
herse1523
shears1562
snail1579
rendy1581
saw battle1598
shear-battle1598
file1616
horn battle1635
sconce-battle1635
potence1760
echelon1796
marching order1819
harrow1876
zariba1887
1635 W. Barriffe Mil. Discipline xciii. 295 The Sconce Battell is a Figure most properly fit for a whole Regiment.
ΚΠ
1687 T. Brown Saints in Uproar in Wks. (1730) I. 80 Thou huffing, puffing, sconce-building ruffian.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > shelter or screen > [noun] > gabions or fascines
bavin1528
gabion1544
grand-maund1579
saucisse1604
sconce-korf1629
cannon-basket1630
sausage1645
chandelier1664
fascine1669
musket-basket1688
saucisson1702
fascinery1751
basket1753
1629 tr. S. Pelegromius Descr. S'hertogenbosh 41 Our Land-souldiers..did set on fire some Sconce-kornes [? read -korues = -korves].
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
sconcen.4
/skɒns/, U.S. /skɑns/ 1. At Oxford (? formerly also at Cambridge):† a. A fine imposed for a breach of university or college discipline. Obsolete.attributive.1885 Notes & Queries 6th Ser. XII. 449/1 The sconce-tankards held about two quarts.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > fine > [noun] > for breach of college rules
sconce1650
gate-fine1898
gate-money1961
1650 in Rashdall & Rait New College (1901) 176 Taking off the sconce [printed scoure] which, for their absence from prayers, was laid upon them by the said Warden.
1653 in 4th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1874) 456/1 In the case of neglect thereof they shall be punished by sconce, or imposed exercises, as to the officers of the said Colleges..shall seeme meete.
1691 A. Wood Athenæ Oxonienses I. 521 Upon the hearing of one of Sir Hen. Savile's mathematic lectures by accident, or rather to save the sconce of a groat, if he had been absent.
1707 in T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. 23 Dec. (O.H.S.) II. 83 The Dean put ye usual Sconce for missing Prayers upon his Name.
1763 G. Colman in Terræ Filius 5 July 15 If I fine them for their Irregularities, it shall be in a much more moderate Sum than Forty Shillings, or any other Sconce imposed by the Proctors.
1885 Notes & Queries 6th Ser. XII. 523/2 When I was at Oriel,..sconces were the fines..inflicted in the ‘gate-bill’.
b. A fine of a tankard of ale or the like, imposed by undergraduates on one of their number for some breach of customary rule when dining in hall.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > fine > [noun] > for breach of college rules > imposed by students
sconce1885
sconcing1885
1885 Notes & Queries 6th Ser. XII. 523/2 Sconces, as fines for offences in hall contra bonos mores, were in vogue in other colleges but not with us [at Oriel].
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > fine > [noun] > on member of a society or servant
perdition money1683
sconce1683
1683 J. Barnard Theologo-historicus 112 The exacting of Sconses or perdition mony, which he [as Treasurer of Westminster] divided among them that best deserved it.
1703 MS. Bk. of Receipts Ashm. Museum 2 b Gilacholuim's sconces or Forfeits out of his wages, Beginning Oct. 22, 1703.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† sconcev.1
Obsolete.
1. transitive. To fortify, entrench; in later use, to shelter, protect. to sconce away Scottish, to ward off.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > fortify [verb (transitive)]
fastenOE
enfirm1297
ofstrengthc1325
strengthc1325
warnc1330
ward1340
warnestorec1374
abattlec1380
embattlec1380
fortify1436
bulwark1450
strengthen1450
bastille1480
enstrength1483
rempare1525
munite1533
fence1535
force1535
ranforce1547
rampire1550
fort1559
ramforce1570
fortificate1575
refortify1579
ensconce1590
munify1596
sconce1598
renforce1602
harness1611
munish1633
tackle1645
schanze1901
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > refuge or shelter > seek (refuge) [verb (transitive)] > shelter
wrench?c1225
covera1275
herda1300
lown1487
scug1513
subumber1543
becalm1559
embower1580
ensconce1594
sconce1598
screen1611
burrow1657
lew1664
embosom1685
1598 W. Phillip tr. J. H. van Linschoten Disc. Voy. E. & W. Indies i. xcii. 153/2 They set vppon the towne of Ioor, that was sconsed [Du. beschanst] and compassed about with woodden stakes.
1620 R. Brathwait Ess. Fiue Senses 75 Long time, therefore, haue I resolued to sconce my selfe betwixt these two.
1626 G. Sandys tr. Ovid Metamorphosis xiv. 282 A little Bay, by Scylla haunted, lies..sconst from the Seas and skies Distemper.
1690 C. Ness Compl. Hist. & Myst. Old & New Test. I. 208 A screen to sconce and shelter us from consuming fire.
1707 E. Ward Wooden World Dissected 65 He's pretty well scons'd against Bullets.
1724 A. Ramsay Vision in Ever Green I. iii To..skonce my skap and shanks frae rain.
1774 D. Graham Impartial Hist. Rebellion (ed. 3) x. 107 Confin'd into a stinking stye, And 'bove his head two hydes of kye, To skonce away the sooty rain.
2. [? By etymological association with French esconser (Cotgrave).] To hide, screen from view.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > hide, conceal [verb (transitive)]
heeleOE
forhelec888
i-hedec888
dernc893
hidec897
wryOE
behelec1000
behidec1000
bewryc1000
forhidec1000
overheleOE
hilla1250
fealc1325
cover1340
forcover1382
blinda1400
hulsterc1400
overclosec1400
concealc1425
shroud1426
blend1430
close1430
shadow1436
obumber?1440
mufflea1450
alaynec1450
mew?c1450
purloin1461
to keep close?1471
oversilec1478
bewrap1481
supprime1490
occulta1500
silec1500
smoor1513
shadec1530
skleir1532
oppressa1538
hudder-mudder1544
pretex1548
lap?c1550
absconce1570
to steek away1575
couch1577
recondite1578
huddle1581
mew1581
enshrine1582
enshroud1582
mask1582
veil1582
abscondc1586
smotherc1592
blot1593
sheathe1594
immask1595
secret1595
bemist1598
palliate1598
hoodwinka1600
overmaska1600
hugger1600
obscure1600
upwrap1600
undisclose1601
disguise1605
screen1611
underfold1612
huke1613
eclipsea1616
encavea1616
ensconcea1616
obscurify1622
cloud1623
inmewa1625
beclouda1631
pretext1634
covert1647
sconce1652
tapisa1660
shun1661
sneak1701
overlay1719
secrete1741
blank1764
submerge1796
slur1813
wrap1817
buttress1820
stifle1820
disidentify1845
to stick away1900
1652 T. Urquhart Εκσκυβαλαυρον 122 With so close and secret a minde did he harbour in his heart, that new love,..remotely skonsing it from the knowledge of all men.
1663 G. Mackenzie Religio Stoici 137 As if a thicket of trees could have sconced him from his all-seeing Maker.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
sconcev.2
/skɒns/, U.S. /skɑns/ 1. transitive. At Oxford (? formerly also at Cambridge): to fine, mulct; often with the penalty as second object. Formerly said of university and college officials, with reference to fines inflicted for breaches of discipline. Now only of undergraduates when dining in hall: to fine (one of their number) a tankard of ale or the like, as a penalty for some breach of good manners or conventional usage.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > fine > [verb (transitive)] > for breach of university discipline
sconce1617
society > education > educational administration > university administration > [verb (transitive)] > disciplinary measures
sconce1617
proctorize1833
gate1835
proggins1892
prog1901
campus1928
society > education > educational administration > university administration > [verb (transitive)] > fine breach of manners
sconce1821
society > authority > punishment > fine > [verb (transitive)] > for breach of university discipline > imposed by students
sconce1821
1617 J. Minsheu Ἡγεμὼν είς τὰς γλῶσσας: Ductor in Linguas (at cited word) Wherevpon comes the terme in Oxeford to sconce one, Lat. Mulctare pecunia, i. to set vp so much in the butterie booke vpon his head to pay for his punishment.
1628 J. Shirley Wittie Faire One iv. ii I have had a head in most of the butteries of Cambridge, and it has been sconced to purpose.
1687 in J. R. Bloxham Magdalen Coll. & James II (1886) (modernized text) 224 The said persons entering the Buttery, and taking out their crosses, Mr. Charnock thereupon sconced the Butler ten shillings each.
1687 E. Settle Refl. Dryden's Plays 11 The poorest Freshman in the University would be sconced for half so great a blunder.
1688 A. Wood Life & Times (1894) III. 265 The vicechancellor told him the Coll. was to be sconced: Charnock said he had provided a preacher.
1706 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1885) I. 238 Dr Mill..saying..that no Master of Arts in the Hall should for ye future have any Privilege of sconsing or otherwise punishing the Servants in the Hall.
1707 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1886) II. 9 Yesterday the Vice-Chaunc. scons'd all that were without their Hoods at St Marie's.
1728 S. Johnson in J. Hawkins Life (1787) 9 [He said to Jordan] Sir you have sconced me two-pence for non-attendance at a lecture not worth a penny.
1821 Etonian II. 391 Hall dinner. Was sconced in a quart of ale for quoting Latin.
1857 ‘C. Bede’ Mr. Verdant Green Married xi. 92 There was a shout of indignation, and he [sc. the punster] was sconced by the unanimous vote of the company.
2. † b. to sconce off: to take off, rebate. Obsolete.
a. In extended application (cf. sconce n.4 2).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > fine > [verb (transitive)]
mulct?a1475
gersum1483
unlaw1508
finea1513
check1526
to be put to one's fine1542
punish1552
forfeitc1592
tinsel1609
sconce1641
physic1821
to fix (a person) with liability1833
log1889
1641 J. Milton Of Reformation 85 We must of duty still appear before them once a year..to be taxt by the poul, to be scons't our head money..in their Chaunlerly Shop-book of Easter.
1755 Connoisseur No. 57. ⁋7 [The toast-master of a drinking society] punishes an offender by sconcing him a bumper.
1849 D. Rock Church of our Fathers IV. xi. 107 A theft committed on any one of these three [Rogation] days, was, by Alfred's laws, sconced in a two-fold ‘bot’ or fine.
1869 W. E. Gladstone Speech in Comm. 18 June This superstition.. by which every officer..who only had the good fortune to tie himself to the tail of some Judge,..had built up around him this sanctity of tenure, by which the public had been sconced generation after generation.
1892 J. A. Symonds Life in Swiss Highl. xvi. 346 He who comes last is sconced three litres of Veltliner for the company.
1901 Speaker 27 Apr. 99/1 Why should a small village public-house be sconced five or six times as much as one of the great gin-palaces.
1903 J. Morley Life Gladstone I. iv. ii. 471 A new minister, who..did not shrink from sconcing the powerful landed phalanx like other people.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > discount > deduct as discount [verb (transitive)]
allow1396
rebate1425
defalk1460
moderate1541
qualify1548
disaccount1640
off-reckon1721
to sconce offa1777
to throw off1821
a1777 S. Foote Devil upon Two Sticks (1778) ii. 32 The widow..paid my bill..without sconcing off sixpence.
Derivatives
ˈsconcing n. (also attributive)
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > fine > [noun] > for breach of college rules > imposed by students
sconce1885
sconcing1885
1695 W. Kennett Parochial Antiq. App. 688 Neither are any polling Officers to draw fees and sconcing money to enrich themselves.
1885 Notes & Queries 6th Ser. XII. 448/2 Sconcing was a privilege possessed by the senior scholar or commoner dining in hall of fining any delinquent.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
sconcev.3
transitive. = ensconce v. 3b.Apparently an isolated use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > make safe or secure [verb (transitive)] > place in safety
nestle1548
state1607
sanctuary1615
inlaya1631
lodge1666
ensconce1820
sconce1842
1842 R. H. Barham Auto-da-fé in Ingoldsby Legends 2nd Ser. 84 All, save Privy-purse Humez, Who sconced in his room is.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online September 2019).
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n.1c1392n.21567
n.31587
n.41650
v.11598v.21617v.31842- bloodboltered
- bloodbondage
- bloodbook
- bloodborne
- bloodbought
- bloodbrotherhood
- bloodbubbling
- bloodcemented
- bloodchilling
- bloodcirculating
- bloodclaat
- bloodcoloured
- bloodconscious
- bloodconsciousness
- bloodconsuming
- bloodcovered
- bloodcraft
- bloodcurdler
- bloodcurdling
- blooddabbled
- blooddark
- blooddefiled
- blooddesire
- blooddiscoloured
- blooddrenched