candlestick
/'kændlstik/
Definition
Noun: A candlestick is a holder designed to support one or more candles. It typically has a socket or cup to catch dripping wax and a base to provide stability.
Usage
A candlestick is used to hold a candle securely in an upright position, often for illumination or decorative purposes. It is commonly found on dining tables, altars, mantelpieces, or in sconces on walls.
Examples
- The antique candlestick on the mantelpiece was made of polished brass.
- During the power outage, we placed a candle in a candlestick for light.
- The elegant silver candlestick holders were a wedding gift.
Advanced Usage
- "To hold a candle to" (someone/something): This idiom, meaning to compare favorably to someone or something, originates from the role of an assistant who would hold a candlestick to provide light for another person's work. It is almost always used in the negative.
- As a painter, he can't hold a candle to the old masters.
Variants and Related Words
- Candelabrum (plural: candelabra): A large, branched candlestick or lamp holder designed for multiple candles or lights.
- Candleholder: A more general term for any object that holds a candle, which may include simple designs without a distinct socket or base.
Synonyms
- Candleholder
- Sconce (specifically a wall-mounted candlestick)
Antonyms
- There is no direct antonym, but objects with opposite functions could include extinguisher (for putting out a candle) or flashlight (a modern, non-flame light source).
Related Phrases
- Blow out the candles: This phrase refers to the act of extinguishing the flames on candles, typically on a birthday cake, which are often placed in a special cake-top candlestick or holder.
Noun
-
a holder with sockets for candles
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