candelabrum
/ˌkandɪˈlɑːbrəm
/ /ˌkandɪˈleɪbrəm/(also candelabra /ˌkandɪˈlɑːbrə/ /ˌkandɪˈleɪbrə/) Usage
noun (plural candelabra or candelabras)
A large branched candlestick or holder for several candles or lamps: candles in iron candelabra shed some light...
- The show will feature exquisite items from the eighteenth to the early twentieth century, including silver, giltwood and crystal chandeliers, sconces and girandoles, candelabra and candlesticks.
- In 1807 Pall Mall became the first street in the capital to be lit by gas, spreading to 213 streets by 1823, but indoors candlesticks and candelabra still ruled.
- A few Belgian glass lamps are dumped at the first floor of the synagogue and a multitude of metal hooks hang from the ceiling waiting for lamps and candelabra to be re-hung.
Usage
Based on the Latin forms, the correct singular is candelabrum and the plural is candelabra. However, in practice candelabra is increasingly used as the singular form, with the plural as candelabras. In the Oxford English Corpus these forms are commoner than the traditional ones, and are coming to be regarded as part of standard English.
Origin
Early 19th century: from Latin, from candela (see candle).
- well-faring
- well-farmed
- well-fashioned
- well-fatted
- well favored
- well favoured
- well-favouredness
- well-feasted
- well-feathered
- well-featured
- well fed
- well-feed
- well-feeding
- well-feigned
- well-fenced
- well-fermented
- well-filed
- well-filled
- well-finished
- well-fitted
- well fitting
- well-fixed
- well-flavored
- well-flavoured
- well-fledged