menorah
UK[mɪˈnɔːrə]US[məˈnɔːrə]
n
A candelabrum with seven or nine branches that is used in Jewish worship, especially during the festival of Hanukkah.
Etymology
The word 'menorah' entered English directly from the Hebrew 'mənōrā' (מְנוֹרָה), which itself derives from the Semitic root n-w-r, relating to light or fire. In its original context, the term specifically referred to the seven-branched golden lampstand described in the Hebrew Bible as a sacred object within the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem. The modern English usage retains this core meaning but has also become specifically associated with the nine-branched Hanukkah lamp (hanukkiah), used in the celebration commemorating the miracle of the Temple's rededication, where the story of a one-day supply of oil lasting eight days is central to the symbol's significance.
Analysis
The word is a direct loanword from Hebrew (מְנוֹרָה "mənōrā"), meaning "lampstand" or "candelabrum." It is not productively segmented into smaller, meaningful morphemes within the English spelling system.
Examples
The central symbol of Hanukkah is the lighting of the menorah.
A beautiful silver menorah was displayed in the window during the festival.
The ancient seven-branched menorah is a frequent motif in Jewish art and archaeology.