a long, usually slender piece of tallow or wax with an embedded wick that is burned to give light.
something resembling a candle in appearance or use.
Optics.
(formerly) candela.
Also called international candle.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.
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. Abbreviation: c., c
verb (used with object),can·dled,can·dling.
to examine (eggs) for freshness, fertility, etc., by holding them up to a bright light.
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.
Idioms for candle
burn the / one's candle at both ends. burn1 (def. 54).
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.
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.
Origin of candle
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; see candid
At Celeste, they’ve put out candles and heaters on the outdoor patio, but as it gets colder, it’s likely diners are just going to have to move inside, where the restaurant has expanded into an upstairs space for better distancing.
As Restaurants Prepare for Winter Outdoor Dining, Convincing Customers Remains a Challenge|Jaya Saxena|October 15, 2020|Eater
Customers started messaging Otherland’s Instagram account, asking the company if it still had any holiday-scented candles left.
In a crowded holiday advertising market, DTC brands are rethinking their digital strategies|Anna Hensel|October 12, 2020|Digiday
When someone gives you a scented candle, you will think of that person each time you light it.
Looking for a small gift idea? Try one of these scented candles|PopSci Commerce Team|September 29, 2020|Popular Science
This is a top-quality variety pack of calming and relaxing scented candles.
Looking for a small gift idea? Try one of these scented candles|PopSci Commerce Team|September 29, 2020|Popular Science
Here are some of our favorite scented candles available today.
Looking for a small gift idea? Try one of these scented candles|PopSci Commerce Team|September 29, 2020|Popular Science
Unlike the Soviet Union at a certain period in history, the Russian economy does not hold a candle to that of the United States.
Oliver Stone’s Latest Dictator Suckup|James Kirchick|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This candle may just be the perfect stocking stuffer or gift for a dear friend.
The Daily Beast’s 2014 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Taylor Swift in Your Life|Allison McNearney|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And she said, “No, you are on fire,” and my arm had caught on fire from a candle on this mantelpiece.
Stephen Merchant Talks ‘Hello Ladies’ movie, the Nicole Kidman Cameo, and Legacy of ‘The Office’|Marlow Stern|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the middle of the night at an airport someone told me they had lit a candle for me.
Joan Rivers: Our Last Interview|Tim Teeman|September 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His cigar had gone out; he relit it from the candle on our table, puffing great gray clouds of smoke.
Stanley Booth on the Life and Hard Times of Blues Genius Furry Lewis|Stanley Booth|June 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When Tippy, in her bathrobe and with a candle, came down the dark hall to fumble at the door and let me in, I didn't say a word.
Georgina's Service Stars|Annie Fellows Johnston
It was excusable, for the candle threw weird shadows around, which flitted about like phantoms playing at hide-and-seek.
The Argosy|Various
It was like the flame of a candle twisted and leaping in a breeze.
Victor Ollnee's Discipline|Hamlin Garland
She leaned over the lattice-work, snatched the candle, and ran in with it.
Christ Legends|Selma Lagerlf
The candle was burning brightly and so was the fire, and he thought he was "getten on brave."
The Wizard of West Penwith|William Bentinck Forfar
British Dictionary definitions for candle
candle
/ (ˈkændəl) /
noun
a cylindrical piece of wax, tallow, or other fatty substance surrounding a wick, which is burned to produce light
physics
See international candle
another name for candela
burn the candle at both endsto exhaust oneself, esp by being up late and getting up early to work
not hold a candle toinformalto be inferior or contemptible in comparison withyour dog doesn't hold a candle to mine
not worth the candleinformalnot worth the price or trouble entailed (esp in the phrase the game's not worth the candle)
verb
(tr)to examine (eggs) for freshness or the likelihood of being hatched by viewing them against a bright light
Derived forms of candle
candler, noun
Word Origin for candle
Old English candel, from Latin candēla, from candēre to be white, glitter