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. [ 1913 Webster ]

How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a naughty world. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Candles are usually made by repeatedly dipping the wicks in the melted tallow, etc. (“dipped candles”), or by casting or running in a mold. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which gives light; a luminary. [ 1913 Webster ]

By these blessed candles of the night. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Bot.) A shrub (the Myrica cerifera, or wax-bearing myrtle), common in North America, the little nuts of which are covered with a greenish white wax, which was formerly, used for hardening candles; -- also called bayberry tree, bayberry, or candleberry. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A small glass bubble, filled with water, which, if placed in the flame of a candle, bursts by expansion of steam. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A pasteboard shell used in signaling. It is filled with a composition which makes a brilliant light when it explodes. Farrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

See Cannel coal. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) (a) A marine fish (Thaleichthys Pacificus), allied to the smelt, found on the north Pacific coast; -- called also eulachon. It is so oily that, when dried, it may be used as a candle, by drawing a wick through it. (b) The beshow. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Photom.) The illumination produced by a British standard candle at a distance of one foot; -- used as a unit of illumination. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. One who, or that which, holds a candle; also, one who assists another, but is otherwise not of importance. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The light of a candle. [ 1913 Webster ]

Never went by candlelight to bed. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a person who makes or sells candles. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ AS. candelmæsse, candel candle + mæsse mass. ] The second day of February, on which is celebrated the feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary; -- so called because the candles for the altar or other sacred uses are blessed on that day. [ 1913 Webster ]