noun
- the practice of fining someone at Oxford University for a breach of etiquette or rules, typically requiring them to drink a large amount of ale
Usage: British university slang; Oxford-specific
Examples
- The student faced sconcing after arriving late to the formal dinner.
- Sconcing was a traditional punishment in the college dining hall.
- He had to drink from the sconce cup as part of his sconcing.
- The practice of sconcing dates back centuries at Oxford.
- Breaking dining hall etiquette could result in sconcing.