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sconce

sconce
S s

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [skons]
    • /skɒns/
    • /skɒns/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [skons]
    • /skɒns/

Definitions of sconce word

  • noun sconce the head or skull. 1
  • noun sconce sense or wit. 1
  • verb with object sconce (at English universities, especially formerly) to fine (an undergraduate) for a breach of rules or etiquette. 1
  • noun sconce decorative light fixture 1
  • noun sconce military: fortification 1
  • countable noun sconce A sconce is a decorated object that holds candles or an electric light, and that is attached to the wall of a room. 0

Information block about the term

Origin of sconce

First appearance:

before 1350
One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; Middle English sconce, sconse (< Old French esconce) < Medieval Latin scōnsa, aphetic variant of abscōnsa, noun use of feminine past participle of abscondere to conceal; see abscond

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Sconce

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

sconce popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 75% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

sconce usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for sconce

noun sconce

  • candelabra — A candelabra is an ornamental holder for two or more candles.
  • candelabrum — A candelabrum is the same as a candelabra.
  • candlestick — A candlestick is a narrow object with a hole at the top which holds a candle.
  • menorah — a candelabrum having seven branches (as used in the Biblical tabernacle or the Temple in Jerusalem), or any number of branches (as used in modern synagogues).
  • candleholder — a candlestick

verb sconce

  • fine — of superior or best quality; of high or highest grade: fine wine.

Top questions with sconce

  • what is a sconce?
  • how to install wall sconce?
  • how to install a wall sconce light?
  • how to install wall sconce light fixture?
  • what is a wall sconce?

See also

Matching words

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