Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- n. A votive candle set into a small, decorative paper bag weighted with sand and placed in a row with others along a walkway, driveway, or rooftop as a holiday decoration. Also called regionally farolito.
- n. New Mexico A bonfire built in front of each house in a pueblo to celebrate Christmas Eve.
Wiktionary
Etymologies
- Spanish (Wiktionary)
- Spanish, from Latin lūmināria, pl. of lūmināre, lamp; see luminary. (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition)
Examples
“Then, we went outside to put up luminaria, which is an activity where all our neighbors fill brown paper bags with sand and line the street with them.”
“In order to obtain light, and above all fresh air, shafts called luminaria, somewhat like chimneys, were cut through the soil to the surface of the ground.”
“This package includes everything for 24 luminaria, which is 24 white bags, 24 10-hour candles, 24 candle cups, instructions, sand for the bag, a personalized gift card and history of luminaria.”
“Highlighting the evening is the luminaria service, a candlelight vigil held at nightfall to honor survivors and to remember those lost to cancer.”
“Neighbors contribute $15 each toward the cost of materials; four designated " captains " are charged with setting up the luminaria along sections of the road.”
“She is active in the neighborhood homeowners association, whose outreach efforts include a block party as part of the anti-crime initiative National Night Out, as well as yard sales, get-togethers and a luminaria display along the streets each Christmas Eve.”
The Washington Post: Quailwood, in La Plata, Md., is serene after the storm
“If anyone would like a candle luminaria lit for a loved one lost to or a survivor of cancer, please let me know.”
“From Sean Swarmer, a cancer survivor, hopefully summiting Mt. Mckinley to a luminaria event in Las Vegas celebrating and honoring the spirit of those touched by cancer to a food blog event called a Taste of Yellow people all over this country and in some cases the world have found their way of participating in this fight.”
“If Dawkins and Scott (and probably other Darwinian luminaria) are reading (and possibly posting) here, that means they know that blogs like Telic Thoughts are having an impact!”
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘luminaria’.
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The Chandlery
Candles, candle-making; photometry, and a couple of oily fish used as light sources.
Paschal candle, unity candle, Turmleuchter, Julleuchter, menora, candle warmer, candle tree, altar candle, stiffener, tealight, votive candle, prayer candle and 135 more...
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♥
ambrosia, inamorata, gossamer, lily-white, hummingbird, roucoulement, poppy, daisy, calypso, lunula, lamb, dove and 1526 more...
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Words Covered in Faery Dust (L)
words that evoke magic, mystery, mayhem, magnificence or anything else that glimmers in the grass
labyrinth, lace, lad, lady fingers, lagoon, lamb, lament, lammas, lantern, larkspur, lass, lauds and 92 more...
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likaluca's Words
recursive, genuflect, libidinous, emote, smote, importune, trill, chillax, overshare, shorn, needle, ego and 162 more...
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Words of the Day
glabella, chirotony, nook-shotten, crapehanger, filemot, swirlie, egosurf, lexiphanicism, Ruritanian, stichometry, chrononaut, faldstool and 2041 more...
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Benandanti
All things Light
aureole, aura, aurora borealis, aglow, lucent, lambent, radiant, bright, burn, fire, solstice, brazier and 94 more...
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Master
comprehensive
picaresque, carnivalesque, -esque, grotesque, Cocteau, necropolis, hypnopædic, mojito, imprimatur, insouciance, idyll, maestro and 239 more...
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noele's list
vertiginous, verdant, mellifluous, serpentine, verdigris, traject, amaranthine, luminous, phosphorescent, temerous, cerulean, shapeshifter and 531 more...
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Christmas
carol, yule, noel, nowel, yuletide, melampodium, toyon, wassail, pantomime, simnel, epiphany, luminaria and 37 more...
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Lovely Words
Tweets
Looking for tweets for luminaria.
mtc
Or looked at in another light, "light song," "lumin (light) + "aria" (song)." Dec 26, 2012
treeseed A luminaria or farolito is a light or little lantern, usually a candle inside a paper lamp shade, which is of significance among New World Hispanics at Christmas time.
A farolito is carried by the leader of a Posada procession. Las Posadas is a nine-day holiday beginning December 16 and ending December 24.
In the U.S. states of New Mexico, Arizona and west Texas luminarias are made from brown paper bags weighted down with sand and illuminated from within by a lit candle and traditionally displayed on Christmas Eve. These are typically arranged in rows to create large and elaborate displays. Artificial luminarias, which are made of plastic and use light bulbs instead of candles, are also available. The hope among Christian believers is that the lights will guide the spirit of the Christ child to one's home. In recent times they are seen more as a secular decoration, akin to holiday lights, and have gained popularity in other parts of the country.
Santa Fe and Old Town Albuquerque are well known for their impressive Christmas Eve luminaria displays.
_Wikipedia Feb 23, 2008