Crossword clues for girandole
The Collaborative International Dictionary
girandola \gir"an*do`la\, girandole \gir"an*dole\(j[i^]r"an*d[=o]l; 277), n. [F. See Gyrate.]
An ornate ornamental branched candlestick, often with a mirror at the back. [WordNet sense 1]
A flower stand, fountain, or the like, of branching form.
(Pyrotechny) A kind of revolving firework.
(Fort.) A series of chambers in defensive mines.
--Farrow.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1630s, a type of fireworks; 1825 as a type of earring or pendant, from French girandole, from Italian girandola, diminutive of giranda "a revolving jet," from Latin gyrandus, gerundive of gyrare "to turn round in a circle, revolve" (see gyration).
Wiktionary
n. 1 An ornamental branched candle holder, sometimes with a mirror behind. 2 (context pyrotechnics English) A type of firework which creates a "whirling top" or "flying saucer" effect.
WordNet
n. an ornate candle holder; often with a mirror [syn: girandola]
Wikipedia
A Girandole (from French, in turn from Italian girandola) is an ornamental branched candlestick or lighting device often composed of several lights. Girandoles came into use about the second half of the 17th century, and were commonly made and used in pairs.
A girandole has always been, comparatively speaking, a luxurious appliance for lighting, and in the great 18th century period of French house decoration, the famous ciseleurs designed some exceedingly beautiful examples. A great variety of metals have been used for the purpose. Sometimes, as in the case of candlesticks, girandoles have been made in hardwoods. Gilded bronze has been a very frequent medium, but for table use silver is still the favorite material.
Girandoles, or lighting devices, have also been attached to looking glasses and furniture. Some popular mirrors, especially the convex style, and some large dressing glasses of the 19th century were known as "girandoles" because of the lighting devices mounted to their sides.
The word Girandole (pl. żyrandol) is also used in Poland to describe a traditional folk art. Poland’s “Traditional decorative forms included spider girandoles.”, which are decorative objects hung from the ceiling. Various materials are used to make them, including tissue paper cut, wrapped or manipulated into flowers or garland. “It was probably this enormous variety of form of spider girandoles that caused them to occur practically universally throughout Poland.” “The most recent version of spider girandoles were festoons and garlands of tissue which were stretched starwise at the ceiling."
Usage examples of "girandole".
She blew out the candles in the fancy girandole, making everything dark, since there was no way to remove the insignia now.
Silently Oliver handed her a pair of large, girandole earrings and she hooked them in.
A branch of candles stood on a girandole nearby, casting a good light on the face, and she studied it with a strange feeling of interest and regret.
The corners of this wonderful apartment were decked with all sorts of flags and weapons, and in the middle of the painted ceiling was suspended a huge bird with the spread wings of an eagle and the head of an owl, that held in its curved talons a superb girandole formed of a hundred extended swords, each bare blade having at its point a bright lamp in the shape of a star, while the clustered hilts composed the centre.
Cornwallis lit the candles on the bureau from those on the girandole he bore, then led Robert and Madame out onto the gallery again.
The room was lighted up by girandoles, which were reflected by the lookingglasses, and by four splendid candlesticks placed on a table covered with books.
All the candles in the sconces and girandoles had been lit, on orders of her extravagant aunt, no doubt.
I sat in my usual nook, and looked at him with the light of the girandoles on the mantelpiece beaming full over him -- for he occupied an arm-chair drawn close to the fire, and kept shrinking still nearer, as if he were cold, I compared him with Mr.
Along the walls, edifices of polished wooden shelves lit by mirror-backed girandoles displayed ornamental silverware, tempting platters heaped with fruits and cakes, covered cheese dishes disguised as little milk churns or cottages, silver chafing dishes with ivory handles, and glowing braziers of pierced brass ready to warm food.
The High Table on its dais was so far removed from the opposite end of the Hall that those who graced it could scarcely be expected to discern the countenances of those seated at the lower trestles, or even the central onesa state of affairs that, despite the blaze of countless girandoles, lusters, and candelabra, was exacerbated by the soft haze of steam and incense filling the air.
At last, they came to a small saloon, hung with red damask, in which the principal article of furniture was a tall mirror of the French regency period, set on a gilt console and framed by a pair of bronze girandoles bearing clusters of lighted candles.
Catherine wheels, fizgigs, girandoles, twice-changing chrysanthemums, and golden palm trees.
Then the party returned to the terrace of the Court to watch a display of Roman candles, gillockes, and girandoles light the night sky.
She could see Betsy in the back of the room polishing the mirrored girandoles which hung along the walls.
Apparently finished with the girandoles, Betsy approached the window and put down her bucket.