candle

can-dle · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A cylinder of wax with a central wick that is lit to produce light.

  2. 2.

    (Historical) A unit of luminous intensity.

Forms

plural: candles

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    burn the candle at both ends — to exhaust oneself by working too hard
  • •
    can't hold a candle to — is not nearly as good as
  • •
    worth the candle — worth the trouble or expense
  • •
    candlelight dinner — a romantic dinner by candlelight

Related words

See also: candles, flame, light, wax
Synonyms: taper, wax light

Etymology

From Latin candela meaning "light, torch," from candere meaning "to shine, to glow."