a long, usually slender piece of tallow or wax with an embedded wick that is burned to give light.

something resembling a candle in appearance or use.

Optics .

(formerly) candela.

Also called international candle. a unit of luminous intensity, defined as a fraction of the luminous intensity of a group of 45 carbon-filament lamps

used from 1909 to 1948 as the international standard.

a unit of luminous intensity, equal to the luminous intensity of a wax candle of standard specifications: used prior to 1909 as the international standard. Abbreviation

c., c

to examine (eggs) for freshness, fertility, etc., by holding them up to a bright light.

to hold (a bottle of wine) in front of a lighted candle while decanting so as to detect sediment and prevent its being poured off with the wine. ?

burn the candle at both ends. burn ( def. 43 ) .

hold a candle to

to compare favorably with (usually used in the negative)

She's smart, but she can't hold a candle to her sister.

worth the candle

worth the trouble or effort involved (usually used in the negative)

Trying to win them over to your viewpoint is not worth the candle.

noun

rushlight , torch , bougie , dip , bayberry , chandelle , cierge , light , pl. chandlery , roman , serge , stick , tallow , taper , wax