Can″dle (?), n. [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.] 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.
Candle nut, the fruit of a euphorbiaceous shrub (Aleurites triloba), a native of some of the Pacific islands; — socalled because, when dry, it will burn with a bright flame, and is used by the natives as a candle. The oil has many uses. — Candle power(Photom.), illuminating power, as of a lamp, or gas flame, reckoned in terms of the light of a standard candle. — Electric candle, A modification of the electric arc lamp, in which the carbon rods, instead of being placed end to end, are arranged side by side, and at a distance suitable for the formation of the arc at the tip; — called also, from the name of the inventor, Jablockoff candle. — Excommunication by inch of candle, a form of excommunication in which the offender is allowed time to repent only while a candle burns. — Not worth the candle, not worth the cost or trouble. — Rush candle, a candle made of the pith of certain rushes, peeled except on one side, and dipped in grease. — Sale by inch of candle, an auction in which persons are allowed to bid only till a small piece of candle burns out. — Standard candle(Photom.), a special form of candle employed as a standard in photometric measurements; usually, a candle of spermaceti so constructed as to burn at the rate of 120 grains, or 7.8 grams, per hour. — To curse by bell, book and candle. See under Bell.