werca : wax
The Illunse word for wax is werca. Werca (or Verca) was an Anglo-Saxon feminine first name.
This word is a mixture of the Old English word for wax which is weax, and the Latin word for wax which is cera (wax, beeswax; honeycomb; wax-covered writing tablet, letter; wax image/seal).
The traditional meaning of wax is beeswax. In Old English weaxcandel means wax candle. In Latin cereus means wax light, taper, candle.
Historically, tallow candles were a cheaper alternative to wax candles. Tallow is rendered beef or mutton fat, processed from suet. Nowadays paraffin wax from petroleum is common.
No comments:
Post a Comment