I. ˈskän(t)s noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French sconce, *esconse screened candle or lantern, from escunser to hide, obscure, from Old French escons, past participle of escondre to hide, from Vulgar Latin * excondere, alteration of Latin abscondere — more at abscond
Date: 15th century
1. : a bracket candlestick or group of candlesticks ; also : an electric light fixture patterned on a candle sconce
2. : head , skull
II. noun
Etymology: Dutch schans, from German Schanze
Date: 1571
: a detached defensive work