chandelier, noun

Forms:
Also chandalier, and with initial capital.
Origin:
EnglishShow more Special senses of English; named for the shape of the plant or its inflorescence.
obsolescent
Usually attributive, in the following senses (in all senses occasionally called chandelier plant):
1. chandelier lily (also simply chandelier): the plant Brunsvigia orientalis of the Amaryllidaceae; also called candelabra (sense 1).
1818 C.I. Latrobe Jrnl of Visit 165We noticed here a gigantic species of a plant, from its singular form..called the chandelier.
1835 A. Steedman Wanderings I. 328The surface of this part of the country was thickly covered with a variety of elegant bulbous plants, particularly a species called by the natives the chandelier. It has a vast number of shoots proceeding from one high stem in the centre, and branching out with beautiful scarlet flowers at each extremity.
1839 W.C. Harris Wild Sports 304The chandelier plant, and purple amaryllis, with many other splendid bulbs, grow wild in profusion.
1856 R.E.E. Wilmot Diary (1984) 78For miles along the open Veld, huge heads of rich roseate chandelier lily reared themselves in beauty.
1871 Cape Monthly Mag. III. Aug. 122A grand family of plants — the Amaryllidaceæ — of which our ‘Chandelier lily,’ (Brunsvigia Josephinæ) is an example.
1966 C.A. Smith Common Names 191Chandelier lily, Brunsvigia orientalis...The vernacular name was recorded as far back as 1818 and refers to the candelabra-like nature of the massive inflorescence.
2. chandelier aloe: candelabra sense 3.
1827 T. Philipps Scenes & Occurrences 4We..crossed a tract of land covered with aloes, called likewise the chandelier plant.
1827 T. Philipps Scenes & Occurrences 49On the craggy hills the chandelier aloe expands its radiant branches.
3. chandelier euphorbia, chandelier tree: a tree of the species Euphorbia ingens, E. triangularis, or E. grandidens (family Euphorbiaceae). Also attributive. See also candelabra sense 2, naboom.
1844 J. Backhouse Narr. of Visit 151The Chandalier Euphorbia, Euphorbia grandidens, a singular tree, with erect, angular, leafless branches..forms a remarkable feature in the woods of the eastern part of the Cape Colony, and adjacent portions of Caffraria.
1966 C.A. Smith Common Names 191Chandelier plant (-tree), Euphorbia triangularis and E. grandidens...The vernacular name for these two species..refers to the candelabra-like disposition of the branches.
chandelier lily (also simply chandelier):the plant Brunsvigia orientalis of the Amaryllidaceae; also called candelabra (sense 1).
chandelier aloe: candelabra sense 3.
chandelier euphorbia, chandelier tree:a tree of the species Euphorbia ingens, E. triangularis, or E. grandidens (family Euphorbiaceae). Also attributive.
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18181966

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