candelabrum

candelabrum
/kan'dl ah"breuhm, -dl ay"-/, n., pl. candelabra /-breuh/, candelabrums.
an ornamental branched holder for more than one candle.
[1805-15; < L candelabrum candlestick, equiv. to candel(a) CANDLE + -abrum, var. (after stems with an -l-) of -bulum suffix of instruments; -a- by analogy with deverbal derivatives]

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      in architecture, a decorative motif derived from the pedestal or shaft used to support a lamp or candle. The Romans, developing Hellenistic precedents, made candelabra of great decorative richness. Two Roman types are found. The simpler consists of a slender shaft, often fluted, supported on a spreading base of animals' feet and acanthus scrolls and carrying a flat shelf with vaselike moldings. The multitude of such candelabra found in Pompeii proves them to have been a common form of household decoration. The more monumental type, made of marble or bronze and used in public buildings, had for the base a pedestal resembling a little altar, which carried a heavy shaft frequently decorated with row on row of acanthus leaves. The lavishness of such examples was imitated in works by Renaissance artists.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • candelabrum — 1811, from L. candelabrum, which meant candlestick, from candela (see CANDLE (Cf. candle)). O.E. had candeltreow candle tree in same sense. The word was borrowed earlier (late 14c.) from O.Fr. as chaundelabre with the Latin sense. Candelabra is… …   Etymology dictionary

  • candelabrum — ► NOUN (pl. candelabra) ▪ a large branched candlestick or holder for several candles or lamps. USAGE Based on the Latin forms, the correct singular is candelabrum and the correct plural is candelabra, but these forms are often not observed in… …   English terms dictionary

  • Candelabrum — Can de*la brum .; pl. L. {Candelabra}, E. {Candelabrums}. [L., fr. candela candle. See {candle}.] 1. (Antiq.) (a) A lamp stand of any sort. (b) A highly ornamented stand of marble or other ponderous material, usually having three feet, frequently …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • CANDELABRUM — pro Numine cultum, vide hîc supra …   Hofmann J. Lexicon universale

  • candelabrum — because of its Latin origin, has the plural form candelabra, but candelabra has taken on a new life as the more common singular form for the word meaning ‘a large branched candlestick or lamp holder’, and has its own plural candelabras: • four… …   Modern English usage

  • candelabrum — n. pl. candelabras [kan΄də lä′brəm, kan΄dəlā′brəm; ] also [, kan΄dəla′brəm] n. candelabra [kan΄də läbrə] or candelabrums [L: see CHANDELIER] a large branched candlestick or an electric lamp like this: also candelabra n. candelabras …   English World dictionary

  • candelabrum — n. (also candelabra) (pl. candelabra, US candelabrums, candelabras) a large branched candlestick or lamp holder. Phrases and idioms: candelabrum tree a tropical E. African tree, Euphorbia candelabrum, with foliage shaped like a candelabrum.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • candelabrum — [[t]kæ̱ndəlɑ͟ːbrəm[/t]] candelabra N COUNT A candelabrum is the same as a candelabra …   English dictionary

  • candelabrum —    A candle holder or lamp with several arms or branches. The Hebrew word menorah means a holder of light or candelabrum. The plural form is candelabra …   Glossary of Art Terms

  • candelabrum — [ˌkandɪ lα:brəm] noun (plural candelabra brə) a large branched candlestick or holder for several candles or lamps. Origin C19: from L., from candela (see candle). Usage Based on the Latin forms, the correct singular is candelabrum and the correct …   English new terms dictionary

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