English Explanatory Dictionary

candle

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A light source consisting of a wick embedded in a solid, flammable substance such as wax, tallow, or paraffin.
  2. The protruding, removable portion of a filter, particularly a water filter.
  3. A unit of luminous intensity, now replaced by the SI unit candela.
  4. 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.
  5. Indicates how high or low church something is by height on the candle.
verb
  1. To observe the growth of an embryo inside (an egg), using a bright light source.
  2. To dry (greenware) prior to the firing cycle, setting the kiln at 200° Celsius until all water is removed from the greenware.
  3. To check (an item, such as an envelope) by holding it between a light source and the eye.

Pronunciation

/ˈkæn.dəl/ [ˈcʰæn.dl̩] /ˈkeə̯n.dəl/ [ˈcʰeən.dl̩] /ˈkɛə̯n.dəl/ [ˈcʰɛən.dl̩] LL-Q1860 (eng)-Aquild-candle.wav En-us-candle.ogg

Word forms

candle candles candling candled

Etymology

From Middle English candel, from Old English candel (“candle”), borrowed from Latin candēla (“candle”), from Latin candeō (“be white, bright, shining”, verb); see candid. Doublet of candela and chandelle.

Related words

candela candelabrum candid candidate chandelier chandler chandlery

Derived words

Advent candle better to light a candle than to curse the darkness …a single candle… …one candle… …one small candle… burn one's candle at both ends …the candle… bush candle candle auction candlebark candleberry candlebomb candle bush candle chart candle coal candle dance candle-end candlefish candleflame candleglow candle holder candleholder candle in the wind candleless candle light candlelight candle-light candlelighted candlelighter candlelighting candlelight vigil candlelike candlelit candle magick candlemaker candlemaking Candlemas candlenut candlepin candle power candlepower candler candle salad candle-shade candleshine candle snuffer candlestand candlestick candlestub candle-stub candle tree candlewaster candle-waster candle-wasting candle wax candlewax candlewick candle-wick candle-wood candlewood
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