Also 8 -eer. [mod. a. F. chandelier; see CHANDLER.]

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  1.  An ornamental branched support or frame to hold a number of lights (originally candles), usually hung from the roof or ceiling.

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1736.  Stukeley, Palæogr. Sacra, 69 (T.). Lamps, branches, or chandeliers (as we now modishly call them).

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1745.  in Picton, L’pool Munic. Rec. (1886), II. 167. Two brass branches or chandeliers … for St. Geos. Church.

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1772–84.  Cook, Voy. (1790), I. 274. This church is illuminated by chandeliers of the most superb workmanship.

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1821.  Scott, Kenilw., xxxi. From the oaken roof hung a superb chandelier.

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  2.  Mil. ‘A wooden frame, which was filled with fascines, to form a traverse in sapping’ (Stocqueler, Mil. Encycl.), and cover the sappers.

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1663.  Gerbier, Counsel, D j a. To blow up Ditches, Estacades, and Chandeliers.

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1704.  Lond. Gaz., No. 4082/3. They brought a great number of Chandeliers to cover their Workmen.

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1876.  Bancroft, Hist. U.S., V. lix. 196. Gabions and fascines and chandeliers for the redoubts.

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  3.  ? A branched support.

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1731–7.  Miller, Gard. Dict., s.v. Anil, A kind of pretty large Pails, fasten’d to strong Poles, plac’d upon Chandeliers, by Means of which, the Negroes violently and continually raise, beat, and stir the Water.

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  4.  attrib. and Comb.; chandelier tree, Pandanus Candelabrum: from its mode of branching.

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1823–33.  Lamb, Elia, Trag. Shaks. (L.). By chandelier light, and in good company.

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1830.  Lindley, Nat. Syst. Bot., 285. The Chandelier Tree of Guinea and St. Thomas’s derives its name from this peculiar tendency to branching.

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