SCONCE, noun 1. A fort or bulwark; a work for defense. obsolete 2. A hanging or projecting candlestick, generally with a mirror to reflect the light. Golden sconces hang upon the walls. 3. The circular tube with a brim in a candlestick, into which the candle is inserted, that is, the support, the holder of the candle; and from this sense the candlestick, in the preceding definition, has its name. 4. A fixed seat or shelf. [Local.] SCONCE, noun 1. Sense; judgment; discretion or understanding. This sense has been in vulgar use in New England within my memory. 2. The head; a low word. 3. A mulet or fine. SCONCE, verb transitive To mulet; to fine. [A low word and not in use.]
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI