candle
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can·dle
(kăn′dl)n.
1.
a. A solid, usually cylindrical mass of tallow, wax, or other fatty substance with an axially embedded wick that is burned to provide light.
b. Something resembling this object in shape or use.
2. Physics An obsolete unit of luminous intensity, originally defined in terms of a wax candle with standard composition, later in terms of a carbon-filament lamp, and superseded by the candela. Also called international candle.
tr.v. can·dled, can·dling, can·dles
To examine (an egg) for freshness or fertility by holding it before a bright light.
[Middle English candel, from Old English and from Anglo-Norman candele, both from Latin candēla, from candēre, to shine; see kand- in Indo-European roots.]
can′dler n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
candle
(ˈkændəl)n
1. a cylindrical piece of wax, tallow, or other fatty substance surrounding a wick, which is burned to produce light
2. (Units) physics
a. See international candle
b. 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)
vb
(Agriculture) (tr) to examine (eggs) for freshness or the likelihood of being hatched by viewing them against a bright light
[Old English candel, from Latin candēla, from candēre to be white, glitter]
ˈcandler n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
can•dle
(ˈkæn dl)n., v. -dled, -dling. n.
1. a long, usu. slender piece of tallow or wax with an embedded wick that is burned to give light.
2. something resembling this in appearance or use.
3. any of various former international standard units of luminous intensity. Abbr.: c., c Compare candela.
v.t. 4. to examine (eggs) for freshness, fertility, etc., by holding them up to a bright light.
Idioms: 1. hold a candle to, to compare favorably with (usu. in the negative).
2. worth the candle, worth the effort involved (usu. in the negative).
[before 900; Middle English, Old English candel < Latin candēla, derivative of candēre to shine]
can′dler, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
candle
Past participle: candled
Gerund: candling
Imperative |
---|
candle |
candle |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
Noun | 1. | ![]() candlewick - the wick of a candle chandlery - candles and other commodities sold by a chandler dip - a candle that is made by repeated dipping in a pool of wax or tallow lamp - an artificial source of visible illumination rush candle, rushlight - a tallow candle with a rush stem as the wick vigil candle, vigil light - a candle lighted by a worshiper in a church |
2. | candle - the basic unit of luminous intensity adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites; equal to 1/60 of the luminous intensity per square centimeter of a black body radiating at the temperature of 2,046 degrees Kelvin candlepower unit, luminous intensity unit - a measure of luminous intensity | |
Verb | 1. | candle - examine eggs for freshness by holding them against a light |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
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Spanish / Español
candle
[ˈkændl]Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
candle
(ˈkӕndl) noun a moulded piece of wax with a wick in the centre, for giving light. We had to use candles when the electric lights went out.vela
ˈcandle-light noun the light from a candle. We had dinner by candle-light. luz de vela
ˈcandlestick noun a holder for a candle. candelero, palmatoria
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
candle
→ velaMultilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009