candle

Pronunciation: /ˈkæn.dəl/

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun stick of wax with a wick in the middle
  2. 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
  3. verb examine eggs for freshness by holding them against a light

Etymology

From Middle English candel, from Old English candel (“candle”), borrowed from Latin candēla (“candle”), from Latin candeō (“be white, bright, shining”, verb); see candid. Doublet of candela and chandelle.

In classic literature

Synonyms

taper, wax light

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
lamp
Narrower (hyponyms)
vigil light, rushlight, dip, chandlery

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