sconce v.
to defraud someone, e.g. a publican, of a payment; usu. as sconce the reckoning.
![[UK]](/static/img/flags/uk.png "United Kingdom") | Merry Mercurie 14 July 9: A company of Scollars that had more wit than money, went to make merry at an Hosts house [...] with an intent to sconce him for the reckoning. | |
| Dict. of the Turf, the Ring, the Chase, etc. 155: ‘Sconce the reckoning,’ to go no farther in debt, but bolt. |
In phrases
1. to run off without paying a bill.
| Sl. and Its Analogues. |
2. to fall short in a payment.
| Devil Upon Two Sticks in Works (1799) II 260: Paid my bill the next week, without sconcing off sixpence. |
to eat less, to diet.
| Dict. of the Turf, the Ring, the Chase, etc. |