candle Hear it!

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 -·dled, -·dling

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

candle Related Forms

can′·dler noun

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

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.

candle Telecom Definition

See candela. CAN-SPAM Act (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography And Marketing Act) A law passed by the United States Congress in 2003, extending the ban on certain unsolicited marketing to e-mail. In 2005, that ban was extended to text messaging directed towards cellular phones and other mobile devices. See also do-not-call registry, Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and text messaging.

candle Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • scent: The majority of scented jar candles will last anywhere from 50 to 120 hours.
  • extinguish: Last thing before you go to bed extinguish all candles, empty ashtrays, check the kitchen and close all doors.
  • flicker: Naturally, this features a red carpet, flanked on either side by a row of chunky, flickering candles.
  • burn: Marriage A Menace Apparently for a person to get married is like burning the candle at both ends.

Adjective modifier

  • lighted: Armed with a lighted candle, the man explodes them with the flame.
  • votive: Never take anything in with you except maybe some sample votive candles.
  • handmade: The Candle Company is a UK producer of high quality handmade candles.
  • roman: CANDLE BOUQUETS consist of a number of roman candles strapped to a wooden frame in a fan shape.
  • Paschal: There was the lighting of the large Paschal candle, and then at midnight the consecration of the waters of the baptismal font.

Modifies a noun

  • snuffer: Theme Song You're just a bluffer, a candle snuffer, Can't get enough of your dreams.
  • sconce: Accordingly a subscription was raised to install candle sconces, chandeliers and lamps.
  • flame: To protect the candle light flames from the wind, use purchased luminaries or shiny metal buckets.
  • wax: Place damp paper over candle wax to be removed.
  • holder: Good candle holders can mean the difference between a candle simply going out or burning down your.. .

Noun used with modifier

  • tallow: I saw a tallow candle on a hollow in the walls, its flame barely lighting the cavern.
  • beeswax: At dusk, near a window or in a sheltered part of your garden, light a single pure beeswax candle.
  • tealight: The soft light of the tealight candles immerses the room.
  • aromatherapy: These aromatherapy candles will be what makes or breaks your romantic evening.
  • soy: You even have a few choices of candles such as regular wax candles and soy candles.
  • wax: The tall wax candles showing a sufficient light to note it well.