Flambeau
/flæmˈboʊ/noun
A flaming torch or lighted candle, especially one used ceremonially or for illumination.
Did you know?Flambeau comes through French from Latin *flamma* (“flame”), and its -eau ending is the same kind of French diminutive that makes the word feel small, bright, and almost spell-like.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰeh₁-
“to burn; to set on fire”
Latin
Latin
flamma
“a flame, blaze”
Old French
Old French
flambe
“a flame or blazing torch”
Middle French
French
flambeau
“a torch; a lighted candle”
16th Century
English
flambeau
“a torch or ceremonial light”
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