Candle
['kænd(ə)l] or ['kændl]
Definition
(noun.) stick of wax with a wick in the middle.
(noun.) 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.
(verb.) examine eggs for freshness by holding them against a light.
Editor: Ryan--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A slender, cylindrical body of tallow, containing a wick composed of loosely twisted linen of cotton threads, and used to furnish light.
(n.) That which gives light; a luminary.
Editor: Meredith
Definition
n. wax tallow or other like substance surrounding a wick: a light.—ns. Can′dle-berr′y the wax-myrtle also its fruit: the fruit of Aleurites triloba the candle-berry tree; Can′dle-bomb a small glass bomb filled with water exploding on being held in a candle-flame; Can′dle-coal (same as Cannel-coal); Can′dle-dip′ping the method of making candles by dipping instead of moulding; Can′dle-end the end-piece of a burnt-out candle; Can′dle-fish the eulachon a deep-sea fish of the smelt family found along the north-west coast of America producing eulachon oil: another West American fish resembling a pollock—the black candle-fish or horse-mackerel; Can′dle-hold′er one who holds a candle to another while working—hence one who renders another slight assistance or humours him; Can′dle-light the light of a candle illumination by means of candles: the time when candles are lighted; Can′dle-light′er one whose business is to light the candles: a spill; Can′dle-pow′er the illuminating power of a standard sperm candle—a unit of luminosity; Can′dlestick an instrument for holding a candle originally a stick or piece of wood; Can′dle-wast′er one who studies late; Can′dle-wood the wood of various West Indian and Mexican resinous trees.—Burn the candle at both ends to waste in two directions at once.—Not fit to hold a candle to not fit even to be some one's inferior not to be compared with.—Sell by the candle to offer for sale as long as a small piece of candle burns the bid made just before it goes out being successful.—The game is not worth the candle the thing is not worth the labour or expense of it.
Checked by Beth
Unserious Contents or Definition
To see them burning with a clear and steady flame, denotes the constancy of those about you and a well-grounded fortune. For a maiden to dream that she is molding candles, denotes that she will have an unexpected offer of marriage and a pleasant visit to distant relatives. If she is lighting a candle, she will meet her lover clandestinely because of parental objections. To see a candle wasting in a draught, enemies are circulating detrimental reports about you. To snuff a candle, portends sorowful{sic} news. Friends are dead or in distressful straits.
Typist: Remington
Examples
- He took my chin in his large hand and turned up my face to have a look at me by the light of the candle. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- I thought to myself, as I put out the candle; the woman in white? Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- She turned out the wall-lights, and peered at herself between the candle-flames. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- As I shrank away from such a visitor, he came forward and seized my candle. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Move the lens so that its distance from the candle is increased, and then find the image on a piece of paper. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- There's two on you,' said the man, thrusting the candle farther out, and shielding his eyes with his hand. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- The one candle was dying out: the room was full of moonlight. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- The candle was burning low in the socket when he rose to his feet. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- The person was Thomasin, with a candle, looking anxious, pale, and interesting. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- I took a candle and went softly in to fetch it from its shelf. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Mrs. Brown, have the goodness to come with me, and Beddoes don't you lose sight of that woman, said Mrs. Bute, seizing the candle. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- You may burn a candle,' said the Jew, putting one upon the table. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- We see that the source of carbon dioxide is practically inexhaustible, coming as it does from every stove, furnace, and candle, and further with every breath of a living organism. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- Mr. Dick would not have relinquished his post of candle-bearer to anyone alive. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- When she looked again, there was no barge, no river, no daylight, and a man whom she had never before seen held a candle close to her face. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- It grew dark, and they put candles on the tables--candles set in bright, new, brazen candlesticks. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- The troops lighted their way through this with candles carried in their hands for a mile and a half, when they came to an open plantation. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- Facing her on the bank blazed the fire, which at once sent a ruddy glare into the room where she was, and overpowered the candles. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- From the niche a single object protruded into the light from the candles on the table. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- The lamps and candles were all extinguished, when Elliston threw himself along the benches in the pit. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- The intensity of the light was ascertained to be equal to that of 301,400 mould candles of six to the pound, whilst the light of the Breakwater Lighthouse was equal to only 150 candles. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- The candles lighted up Lord Steyne's shining bald head, which was fringed with red hair. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- When candles were brought, Mrs. Sparsit murmured, 'Don't be low, sir. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- I placed his arm-chair by the chimney-corner: I wheeled the table near it: I let down the curtain, and had the candles brought in ready for lighting. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- You shall hear, said Amelia; and Joseph Sedley was actually polite enough to carry the candles to the piano. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- But seated in the half-light of the diningroom, sitting stiffly before the shaded candles on the table, she seemed a power, a presence. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- It is past ten when Sir Leicester begs Mr. Tulkinghorn to ring for candles. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- I remember once going in a lilac silk to see candles made, and my gown was utterly ruined. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- Thinking it might be a servant coming with candles, I gently opened, to prevent intrusion. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- Bring candles, said Miss Keeldar. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
Typist: Vivienne