Candlesticks

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A pair of holders designed to support and display candles, providing both functionality and decorative appeal
2. Fixtures that elevate candles, often made from various materials, enhancing ambiance and style in settings
3. Items used to securely hold candles upright, available in diverse designs to complement home decor and serve practical lighting purposes

Etymology: Candlesticks are a plural form, so the story belongs to the singular "candlestick," which is a compound of two plain English words: "candle" and "stick." The "candle" part comes from Latin "candela," meaning a light or torch, and the "stick" part is the ordinary word for a length of wood. Put together, the name describes exactly what the object is: a stick that holds a candle. The compound is old. It appears in Old English as "candelsticca," and it passed into Middle English as "candelstik" and "candelstikke." Scots kept a close relative, "candilsteke," and Old Norse had a similar word, "kertastika," which suggests the idea of a stick-shaped holder for candles was shared across the North Sea region.

Synonyms: candelabra, holders, lanterns