Candle
Candle , noun
[Old English candel, candel, AS, candel, from Latin candela a (white) light made of wax or tallow, from candere to be white. See Candid, and compare Chandler, Cannel, Kindle.]
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 candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
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.
Collocations (9)
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 (Photometry) , 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 (Photometry) , 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.