candela Latin · revision 36971

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 146 BC, Cassius Hemina|origins=la candeō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [kanˈdeː.ɫa]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [kanˈdɛː.la]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''candēla''' ''f'' (genitive candēlae); first declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|candeō|-ēla|t1=to shine, glow]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(TLL) The grammarian Priscian already explains it as formed from the second person ⟨candēs⟩ by dropping the ⟨s⟩.^(TLL) [[m|la|candeō]] goes back to [[itc-pro|*kand-ē-|t=to shine]];^(de Vaan 2008) de Vaan explains its unexpected ⟨a⟩ as a vowel inserted in PIE formations such as [[ine-pro|*knd-ro-|t=shining]], and compares [[cy|cann|t=brilliant]] and [[sq|hënë|t=moon]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ Isidore of Seville also derived it from that verb, saying that it is consumed by burning (20.10.4).^(TLL)^(Isidore)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is first found in Cassius Hemina and Varro.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) Hemina's account, quoted by Pliny the Elder, speaks of a squared stone in the middle of a chest bound all round with waxed cords (''evinctum candelis quoquoversus'').^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The earliest candles were cords covered in wax, and Livy too has bundles of books wrapped in such cords.^(TLL)^(Georges 1913) Varro derives [[candēlābrum]] from it,^(TLL)^(Varro) and it became the common word for a candle of wax or tallow.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Paulus' epitome of Festus says that the poor used ''candelae'' and the rich wax tapers,^(TLL) and Martial too sets it against the lamp of the rich.^(Lewis & Short 1879) Döderlein explains that a ''candela'' could be carried about like a torch, while a [[lucerna]] stood burning on a table.^(Döderlein 1874) Candles of peeled rushes were carried before the dead at funerals,^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(TLL) and Juvenal's ''candelam apponere valvis'' means “to set fire to the doors”.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ In the account of Egeria's pilgrimage ''ad candelas'' means “by candlelight”.^(Conte 2010) Medieval Latin also used it for a candlestick and for an oil lamp.^(Niermeyer 1976) It lives on in [[m|it|candela]], [[m|fr|chandelle]] and [[m|es|candela]],^(TLL) and Old English borrowed it early, in the Church, as [[m|ang|candel]], the source of English [[m|en|candle]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 146 BC – Cassius Hemina uses it of waxed cords.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 116–27 BC – Varro uses it of a candle.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it of waxed cords around books.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 40–102/103 AD – Martial contrasts it with the lamp.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * after 384 AD – Egeria's pilgrimage has ''ad candelas'', “by candlelight”.^(Conte 2010)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 560–636 AD – Isidore of Seville derives it from ''candēre''.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1950 – English adopts [[m|en|candela]] as a unit of luminous intensity.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|candle]] or [[m|en|taper]] of wax or [[m|en|tallow]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # A cord covered with wax.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(metonymy)'' Fire.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A [[m|en|candlestick]]; an oil lamp.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[candēlābrum]]

+ * [[candēlābrus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[candefaciō]]

+ * [[candēlābrārius]]

+ * [[candēns]]

+ * [[candentia]]

+ * [[candeō]]

+ * [[candescō]]

+ * [[candicō]]

+ * [[candidus]]

+ * [[candificō]]

+ * [[candor]]

+ * [[en|candle]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}