Definition

1. Noun:

   • A source of light: A candle is a cylinder or block of wax or tallow with a central wick that is lit to produce light as it burns.
   • A unit of measurement: In physics, a candle is a unit of luminous intensity, defined as the light emitted by a specific standard source.

2. Verb:

   • To examine by light: To candle means to examine something, especially an egg, by holding it in front of a bright light to check its interior quality or freshness.

Examples

• Noun:
  • She lit a candle to read her book during the power outage.
  • The old standard for light output was measured in candle power.
• Verb:
  • Farmers used to candle eggs to ensure they were fresh before selling them.

Advanced Usage

• "to burn the candle at both ends": To work or be active late into the night and start again very early in the morning, exhausting one's energy or resources.
  • He's been burning the candle at both ends studying for finals and working a part-time job.
• "can't hold a candle to": To be vastly inferior to someone or something; to not be fit to compare.
  • His cooking is good, but it can't hold a candle to his grandmother's recipes.
• "the game is not worth the candle": Said when the advantages to be gained from doing something are not worth the effort or cost involved.
  • Commuting four hours a day for that low salary? The game is not worth the candle.

Variants and Related Words

• Candlelight (n): The light produced by a candle or candles.
  • They had a romantic dinner by candlelight.
• Candlestick (n): A holder for one or more candles.
  • The antique silver candlestick was placed on the mantelpiece.
• Candlepower (n): An obsolete unit of luminous intensity, replaced by the candela.
  • The lamp had a brightness of 100 candlepower.

Synonyms

• Taper (n): A long, slender candle.
• Luminary (n): A natural light-giving body, especially the sun or moon; or a person who inspires or influences others (figuratively related to light).
• Illuminate (v): To light up (a broader term for providing light).

Phrasal Verbs

(The word 'candle' is not commonly used to form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

• "like a moth to a flame/candle": Used to describe a strong and often reckless attraction to someone or something that is dangerous or potentially harmful.
  • He was drawn to the risky investment like a moth to a candle.

Noun

1. 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
2. stick of wax with a wick in the middle

Verb

1. examine eggs for freshness by holding them against a light