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candle definition

can·dle (kan′dəl)

noun

  1. a cylindrical mass of tallow or wax with a wick through its center, which gives light when burned
  2. anything like a candle in form or use
    1. candela
    2. until 1940, a standard unit of luminous intensity equal to a certain fraction of the candle power of a group of 45 carbon-filament lamps kept at the National Bureau of Standards; international candle

Etymology: ME & OE candel < L candela, a light, torch < candere: see candescent

transitive verb candled -·dled, candling -·dling

to examine (eggs) for freshness, fertilization, etc. by placing in front of a light, originally that of a candle

Related Forms:

candle Idioms

burn the candle at both ends

to work or, esp., play too much so that one's energy is dissipated

not hold a candle to

to be not nearly so good as

(a game) not worth the candle

  1. (a game) with stakes not sufficient to pay for the lights
  2. (a thing) not worth doing

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms candle idiom

medical candle definition - medical

telecom candle definition - telecom

candle Synonyms

candle

n.

taper, rushlight, torch, bougie, dip; see also light 3.

Types of candles include: wax, tallow, beeswax, holiday, Christmas, Hanukkah, Paschal, Sabbath, birthday, sacramental, votive, ceremonial, bayberry, scented, mineral, rush, butane, electric, hurricane lamp.

burn the candle at both ends

overdo it, take on too much, squander, lavish; see overdo 1, waste 2.

not hold a candle to

be unequal to, be subordinate, be inferior, not be as good as, not compare, not measure up, not stack up, not be on a par with, not touch, not be in the same class, not be in the same league; see also poor 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

candle Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • scent: The majority of scented jar candles will last anywhere from 50 to 120 hours.

Adjective modifier

  • lighted: Armed with a lighted candle, the man explodes them with the flame.

Modifies a noun

  • snuffer: Theme Song You're just a bluffer, a candle snuffer, Can't get enough of your dreams.

Noun used with modifier

  • tallow: I saw a tallow candle on a hollow in the walls, its flame barely lighting the cavern.
candle usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

candle quotes

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

-Bible (NewTestament)

Either what womanhaving ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep thehouse, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

-Bible (NewTestament)

It is burning a farthing candle at Dover, to shew light at Calais.

-Johnson, Samuel known as Dr Johnson

candle quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"candle." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/candle>

APA Style

candle. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/candle

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