sconce

The Sailor's Word-Book

A petty fort. Also, the head; whence Shakspeare's pun in making Dromio talk of having his sconce ensconced. Also, the Anglo-Saxon for a dangerous candle-holder, made to let into the sides or posts in a ship's hold. Also, sconce of the magazine, a close safe lantern.

The Sailor's Word-Book

← scobs × scoodyn →

Related Words

Sconce
·p.p. A fixed seat or shelf. II. Sconce ·p.p. A poll tax; a mulct or fine. III. Sconce ·p.p. A fra...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
sconce
The head, probably as being the fort and citadel of a man: from SCONCE, an old name for a fort, deri...

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
sconce
The head; pate. An old English vulgarism. A hyst is of itself bad enough--your sconce gets a crack;...

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
sconce
a lantern. Lane. ...

A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose