Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Candle
Can′dle
,Noun.
1.
A slender, cylindrical body of tallow, containing a wick composed of loosely twisted linen of cotton threads, and used to furnish light.
How far that little
So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
candle
throws his beams!So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
Shakespeare
☞ Candles are usually made by repeatedly dipping the wicks in the melted tallow, etc. (“dipped candles”), or by casting or running in a mold.
2.
That which gives light; a luminary.
By these blessed
candles
of the night. Shakespeare
Candle nut
, the fruit of a euphorbiaceous shrub (
– Aleurites triloba
), a native of some of the Pacific islands; – socalled because, when dry, it will burn with a bright flame, and is used by the natives as a candle. The oil has many uses. Candle power
(Photom.)
, illuminating power, as of a lamp, or gas flame, reckoned in terms of the light of a standard candle.
– Electric candle
, A modification of the electric arc lamp, in which the carbon rods, instead of being placed end to end, are arranged side by side, and at a distance suitable for the formation of the arc at the tip; – called also, from the name of the inventor,
– Jablockoff candle
. Excommunication by inch of candle
, a form of excommunication in which the offender is allowed time to repent only while a candle burns.
– Not worth the candle
, not worth the cost or trouble.
– Rush candle
, a candle made of the pith of certain rushes, peeled except on one side, and dipped in grease.
– Sale by inch of candle
, an auction in which persons are allowed to bid only till a small piece of candle burns out.
– Standard candle
(Photom.)
, a special form of candle employed as a standard in photometric measurements; usually, a candle of spermaceti so constructed as to burn at the rate of 120 grains, or 7.8 grams, per hour.
– To curse by bell, book and candle
. See under
Bell
.Webster 1828 Edition
Candle
CANDLE
,Noun.
1.
A long, but small cylindrical body of tallow, wax or spermaceti, formed on a wick composed of linen or cotton threads, twisted loosely; used for a portable light of domestic use.2.
A light.3.
A light; a luminary. In scripture, the candle of the Lord is the divine favor and blessing, Job 14. 3.; or the conscience or understanding. Prov. 20:27.Excommunication by inch of candle, is when the offender is allowed time to repent, while a candle burns, and is then excommunicated.
Sale by inch of candle, is an auction in which persons are allowed to bid, only till a small piece of candle burns out.
Medicated candle, in medicine, a bougie.
Rush-candles are used in some countries; they are made of the pith of certain rushes, peeled except on one side, and dipped in grease.
Definition 2024
candle
candle
English
A candle—a light source
Noun
candle (plural candles)
- A light source consisting of a wick embedded in a solid, flammable substance such as wax, tallow, or paraffin.
- The protruding, removable portion of a filter, particularly a water filter.
- (obsolete) A unit of luminous intensity, now replaced by the SI unit candela.
- (forestry) A fast-growing, light-colored, upward-growing shoot on a pine tree in the spring. As growth slows in summer, the shoot darkens and is no longer conspicuous.
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
a light source
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Verb
candle (third-person singular simple present candles, present participle candling, simple past and past participle candled)
- (embryology, transitive) To observe the growth of an embryo inside (an egg), using a bright light source.
- (pottery) To dry greenware prior to beginning of the firing cycle, setting the kiln at 200° Celsius until all water is removed from the greenware.
- To check an item (such as an envelope) by holding it between a light source and the eye.