candela

American  

[kan-dee-luh] / kænˈdi lə /

noun

Optics.

1. a basic unit of luminous intensity in the International System of Units (SI), formally defined as the luminous intensity of a source that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 × 10 12 hertz and that has a radiant intensity of 1/683 watt/steradian: adopted in 1979 as the international standard of luminous intensity. Cd

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candela ¹ British  

/ -ˈdeɪlə, kænˈdiːlə /

noun

1. Also called: candle.   standard candle.   cd.  the basic SI unit of luminous intensity; the luminous intensity in a given direction of a source that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 × 10 ¹² hertz and that has a radiant intensity in that direction of ( 1/ 683 ) watt per steradian

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Candela ² British  

/ kænˈdiːlə /

noun

1. Felix. 1910–97, Mexican architect, noted for his naturalistic modern style and thin prestressed concrete roofs

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candela Scientific  

/ kăn-dĕl′ə /

1. The SI unit used to measure the brightness of a source of light (its luminous intensity). By definition, one square centimeter of a blackbody at the freezing point of platinum emits one-sixtieth of a candela of radiation.

2. See Table at measurement See also lumen luminous flux

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Etymology

Origin of candela

1945–50; < Latin: candle