candelabra

Where does the word "candelabra" come from? It comes from Latin candēlābrum, and was adopted directly into English (1810s).

Candelabra’s story begins in Latin: candēlābrum meant “candlestick.” A candlestick, from 'candēla', candle. It reached English by 1810s as candelabra. English took the Latin plural as a singular, and even gave it a new plural, 'candelabras'. Today, candelabra means a large branched candlestick.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient candēlābrum "candlestick", a candlestick, from 'candēla', candle.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1810s candelabra "branched candlestick", English took the Latin plural as a singular, and even gave it a new plural, 'candelabras'.