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The word chandelier was first known in the English language in the sense as used today in 1736, borrowed from the word in French that means a candleholder. It may have been derived from chandelle meaning "tallow candle", [4] or chandelabre in Old French and candēlābrum in Latin, and ultimately from candēla meaning "candle".
The term chandelier, at one time a ceiling fixture that held a number of candles, is still used. However, today chandeliers are usually based on electrical lighting. However, today chandeliers are usually based on electrical lighting.
The origin of the term, which means a candlestick, suggests that Roman candelabra may have a disk with a spike on top to carry a wax or tallow candle (candela or funalia). Candelabra, however, can have a disk at the top to carry a lamp, and sometimes there was a hollow cup, in which resinous woods were burnt. [13]
The pervasiveness of words of French origin that have been borrowed into English is comparable to that of borrowings from Latin. Estimates vary up, but up to 45% of all English words may have a French origin. [1] [verification needed] [better source needed] This suggests that up to 80,000 words should appear in this list.
The Online Etymology Dictionary or Etymonline, sometimes abbreviated as OED (not to be confused with the Oxford English Dictionary, which the site often cites), is a free online dictionary that describes the origins of English words, written and compiled by Douglas R. Harper. [1]
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