candle Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun stick of wax with a wick in the middle
    wax light; taper.
  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
    candela; standard candle; cd.
  3. verb examine eggs for freshness by holding them against a light

WordNet

Can"dle noun
Etymology
OE. candel, candel, AS, candel, fr. L. candela a (white) light made of wax or tallow, fr. candëre to be white. See Candid, and cf. Chandler, Cannel, Kindle.
Definitions
  1. A slender, cylindrical body of tallow, containing a wick composed of loosely twisted linen of cotton threads, and used to furnish light.
    How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world. Shak.
    ✍ Candles are usually made by repeatedly dipping the wicks in the melted tallow, etc. ("dipped candles"), or by casting or running in a mold.
  2. That which gives light; a luminary.
    By these blessed candles of the night. Shak.

Webster 1913