luminaria


lu·mi·nar·i·a

L0286750 (lo͞o′mə-nâr′ē-ə)n.1. A votive candle set into a small, decorative paper bag weighted with sand and placed in a row with others along a walkway, driveway, or rooftop as a holiday decoration. Also called regionally farolito.2. New Mexico A bonfire built in front of each house in a pueblo to celebrate Christmas Eve.
[Spanish, from Latin lūmināria, pl. of lūmināre, lamp; see luminary.]

luminaria

(ˌluːmɪˈnɛərɪə) na small paper lantern, usually with sand and a candle inside

lu•mi•nar•i•a

(ˌlu məˈnɛər i ə)

n., pl. -nar•i•as. a Mexican Christmas lantern consisting of a lighted candle set in sand inside a paper bag. [1945–50; < Mexican Spanish, Sp: any lamp or lantern displayed during a festival < Medieval Latin, Late Latin lūmināria, orig. neuter pl. of lūmināris lamp]