What is scance?
Scance is a term with two distinct meanings: an obsolete Scottish term for a crescent-shaped stone structure built for cover in battle, and a more general term for a gleam or glow.
Historical and Obsolete Usage: Defensive Structures
In its original, and now obsolete, usage from Scotland, a scance (plural: scances) referred to a specific type of defensive construction. This meaning is rooted in historical military practices.
- Structure: It was a crescent-shaped structure of stones. The curved design would have offered a degree of protection from various angles.
- Purpose: Its primary function was to afford cover in battle, providing soldiers with a sheltered position from enemy fire or advances. Such structures would have been integral to tactical defense in skirmishes or sieges.
This particular meaning is no longer in common use, making it primarily of historical and linguistic interest.
Contemporary Usage: Light and Radiance
More broadly, and in a context that is not obsolete, scance also describes a visual phenomenon related to light. In this sense, it means:
- A gleam: a faint or brief flash or shine of light.
- A glow: a steady, soft light without flame, or a feeling of warmth or radiance.
This definition can be used to describe the subtle reflection of light, a gentle luminescence, or any form of soft illumination.
Summary of Meanings
To clarify the distinct definitions of "scance," refer to the table below:
Meaning | Description | Context/Notes |
---|---|---|
Crescent Stone Structure | A curved stone formation built for cover in battle | Scotland, obsolete |
Gleam or Glow | A faint or soft light, shine, or radiance | General descriptive usage |