candle

[ kan-dl ]

noun

1. a long, usually slender piece of tallow or wax with an embedded wick that is burned to give light.
2. something resembling a candle in appearance or use.
3. Optics.
   1. (formerly) candela.
   2. Also called in·ter·na·tion·al can·dle [in, -ter-nash-, uh, -nl , kan, -dl, -nash-nl]. a unit of luminous intensity, defined as a fraction of the luminous intensity of a group of 45 carbon-filament lamps: used from 1909 to 1948 as the international standard.
   3. a unit of luminous intensity, equal to the luminous intensity of a wax candle of standard specifications: used prior to 1909 as the international standard. : c., c

verb (used with object)

, can·dled, can·dling.

1. to examine (eggs) for freshness, fertility, etc., by holding them up to a bright light.
2. to hold (a bottle of wine) in front of a lighted candle while decanting so as to detect sediment and prevent its being poured off with the wine.

candle

/ ˈkændəl /

noun

1. a cylindrical piece of wax, tallow, or other fatty substance surrounding a wick, which is burned to produce light
2. physics
   1. See international candle
   2. another name for candela
3. burn the candle at both ends
   to exhaust oneself, esp by being up late and getting up early to work
4. not hold a candle to informal.
   to be inferior or contemptible in comparison with

   your dog doesn't hold a candle to mine

5. not worth the candle informal.
   not worth the price or trouble entailed (esp in the phrase the game's not worth the candle )

verb

1. tr to examine (eggs) for freshness or the likelihood of being hatched by viewing them against a bright light

Derived Forms

• ˈcandler, noun

Other Words From

• can·dler noun
• un·can·dled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of candle¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English candel, candle, condel, Old English candel, condel, from Latin candēla, equivalent to cand(ēre) “to shine, gleam white” + -ēla noun suffix; candid

Word History and Origins

Origin of candle¹

Old English candel, from Latin candēla, from candēre to be white, glitter

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. hold a candle to, to compare favorably with (usually used in the negative):

   She's smart, but she can't hold a candle to her sister.

2. worth the candle, worth the trouble or effort involved (usually used in the negative):

   Trying to win them over to your viewpoint is not worth the candle.

3. burn the / one's candle at both ends. burn ¹( def 56 ).

More idioms and phrases containing candle

see burn the candle at both ends ; game is not worth the candle ; hold a candle to .

Example Sentences

Olympic and world-champion cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, who also received a cancer diagnosis this year, will be among those lighting candles.

From BBC

The “Curb Your Enthusiasm” actress took to Instagram to advertise her wellness brand’s Black Friday sale, posing in front of her showering husband to peddle discounted candles, body creams, and linen sprays.

From Salon

Many held aloft candles and pictures of Nasrallah, who was 64, while a speech by the former leader played from a sound system.

From BBC

“We light the candle and we come together for a meal and pray,” Deck said.

From Los Angeles Times

As is demonstrated by the stage’s plush rug, strategically placed pine-scented candles and a lighting design of pinks, blues and oranges, comfort is the No. 1 priority at Baby Battista.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• torch