chandelier
ˌʃændəˈlɪə
noun
Origin
Old French
chandelier / chandelier — candle-holder; candlestick
Overview
Meaning Now
- An ornamental hanging light fixture with multiple arms or branches for candles or electric bulbs.
- A branched support or holder for candles, lamps, or decorative lighting.
Literal older meaning
candle-holding device
Language path
Old French → French → English
Earliest form
chandelier
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The word entered English in the Middle Ages, when lighting in wealthy homes and public spaces often took the form of elaborate candle-holders suspended from ceilings. As gas and electric lighting replaced candles, the term was retained for ornate multi-armed ceiling fixtures.
Evolution
- Latin antiquity
candēlārium
“candlestick; candle-holder”
Source noun built on candēla ‘candle’.
- Old French (Medieval period)
chandelier / chandelier
“candle-holder; candlestick”
Inherited and adapted from Latin in Romance usage.
- Middle English
chandelier
“candle-holder; hanging candlestick”
Borrowed from Old French into English.
- Modern English
chandelier
“ornamental hanging light fixture”
Sense broadened from candle-holder to decorative lighting fixture.
Connections
Word parts
chand-
root
candle
-elier
suffix
agentive/object-forming element in French
Related across languages
French
candlestick; chandelier
Spanish
candelero
candlestick
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.