candle

can·dle

C0063800 (kăn′dl)n.1. a. A solid, usually cylindrical mass of tallow, wax, or other fatty substance with an axially embedded wick that is burned to provide light.b. Something resembling this object in shape or use.2. Physics An obsolete unit of luminous intensity, originally defined in terms of a wax candle with standard composition, later in terms of a carbon-filament lamp, and superseded by the candela. Also called international candle.tr.v. can·dled, can·dling, can·dles To examine (an egg) for freshness or fertility by holding it before a bright light.

[Middle English candel, from Old English and from Anglo-Norman candele, both from Latin candēla, from candēre, to shine; see kand- in Indo-European roots.]

can′dler n.

candle

(ˈkændəl) n1. a cylindrical piece of wax, tallow, or other fatty substance surrounding a wick, which is burned to produce light2. (Units) physics a. See international candleb. another name for candela3. burn the candle at both ends to exhaust oneself, esp by being up late and getting up early to work4. not hold a candle to informal to be inferior or contemptible in comparison with: your dog doesn't hold a candle to mine. 5. not worth the candle informal not worth the price or trouble entailed (esp in the phrase the game's not worth the candle)vb (Agriculture) (tr) to examine (eggs) for freshness or the likelihood of being hatched by viewing them against a bright light[Old English candel, from Latin candēla, from candēre to be white, glitter] ˈcandler n

can•dle

(ˈkæn dl)

n., v. -dled, -dling. n. 1. a long, usu. slender piece of tallow or wax with an embedded wick that is burned to give light. 2. something resembling this in appearance or use. 3. any of various former international standard units of luminous intensity. Abbr.: c., c Compare candela. v.t. 4. to examine (eggs) for freshness, fertility, etc., by holding them up to a bright light. Idioms: 1. hold a candle to, to compare favorably with (usu. in the negative). 2. worth the candle, worth the effort involved (usu. in the negative). [before 900; Middle English, Old English candel < Latin candēla, derivative of candēre to shine] can′dler, n.

candle

Past participle: candled
Gerund: candling

Imperative
candle
candle

Present
I candle
you candle
he/she/it candles
we candle
you candle
they candle

Preterite
I candled
you candled
he/she/it candled
we candled
you candled
they candled

Present Continuous
I am candling
you are candling
he/she/it is candling
we are candling
you are candling
they are candling

Present Perfect
I have candled
you have candled
he/she/it has candled
we have candled
you have candled
they have candled

Past Continuous
I was candling
you were candling
he/she/it was candling
we were candling
you were candling
they were candling

Past Perfect
I had candled
you had candled
he/she/it had candled
we had candled
you had candled
they had candled

Future
I will candle
you will candle
he/she/it will candle
we will candle
you will candle
they will candle

Future Perfect
I will have candled
you will have candled
he/she/it will have candled
we will have candled
you will have candled
they will have candled

Future Continuous
I will be candling
you will be candling
he/she/it will be candling
we will be candling
you will be candling
they will be candling

Present Perfect Continuous
I have been candling
you have been candling
he/she/it has been candling
we have been candling
you have been candling
they have been candling

Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been candling
you will have been candling
he/she/it will have been candling
we will have been candling
you will have been candling
they will have been candling

Past Perfect Continuous
I had been candling
you had been candling
he/she/it had been candling
we had been candling
you had been candling
they had been candling

Conditional
I would candle
you would candle
he/she/it would candle
we would candle
you would candle
they would candle

Past Conditional
I would have candled
you would have candled
he/she/it would have candled
we would have candled
you would have candled
they would have candled

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	candle - stick of wax with a wick in the middlewax light, tapercandlewick - the wick of a candlechandlery - candles and other commodities sold by a chandlerdip - a candle that is made by repeated dipping in a pool of wax or tallowlamp - an artificial source of visible illuminationrush candle, rushlight - a tallow candle with a rush stem as the wickvigil candle, vigil light - a candle lighted by a worshiper in a churchwick, taper - a loosely woven cord (in a candle or oil lamp) that draws fuel by capillary action up into the flame
	2.	candle - 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 Kelvincandela, standard candle, cdcandlepower unit, luminous intensity unit - a measure of luminous intensity
Verb	1.	candle - examine eggs for freshness by holding them against a lightexamine, see - observe, check out, and look over carefully or inspect; "The customs agent examined the baggage"; "I must see your passport before you can enter the country"

Translations

蜡烛

candle

(ˈkӕndl) noun a moulded piece of wax with a wick in the centre, for giving light. We had to use candles when the electric lights went out.蜡烛ˈcandle-light noun the light from a candle. We had dinner by candle-light.烛光ˈcandlestick noun a holder for a candle. 烛台

candle

→ 蜡烛zhCN

candle

candle in the wind

Something that is particularly vulnerable, weak, fragile, or precarious and likely to fail, perish, or be eliminated at any moment. The revolutionaries' bid for freedom is but a candle in the wind at this point, likely to be crushed by the dictator's regime. We all like to think we'll live forever, but we are really just candles in the wind.See also: candle, wind

doesn't hold a candle

Is not nearly as good or desirable as someone or something else. Can also be used with "can't." The sequel wasn't bad, but it doesn't hold a candle to the original. John's fast all right, but he can't hold a candle to Louise!See also: candle, hold

The game is not worth the candle.

The outcome, product, or returns of this activity or undertaking are not worth the time and resources that it requires. An allusion to gambling by candlelight, a significant expense at one point in time. If the winnings were not sufficient, then they didn't warrant the needless use of a candle. The local council considered the construction of a new power grid throughout the county, but because it would cost millions and only marginally increase efficiency compared to the current infrastructure, they decided that the game wasn't worth the candle.See also: game, not, worth

not worth the candle

Said of an activity or undertaking whose outcome, product, or returns are not worth the time and resources that it requires. An allusion to gambling by candlelight, a significant expense at one point in time. If the winnings were not sufficient, then they didn't warrant the needless use of a candle. The local council considered the construction of a new power grid throughout the county, but because it would cost millions and only marginally increase efficiency compared to the current infrastructure, they decided that it wasn't worth the candle.See also: candle, not, worth

burn the candle at both ends

To overwork or exhaust oneself by doing too many things, especially both late at night and early in the morning. Oh, Denise is definitely burning the candle at both ends—she's been getting to the office early and staying very late to work on some big project.See also: both, burn, candle, end

can't hold a candle to (someone or something)

Cannot compare to someone or something; is not nearly as good or desirable as someone or something. The sequel wasn't bad, but it can't hold a candle to the original. John's fast all right, but he can't hold a candle to Louise!See also: candle, hold

bell, book, and candle

1. A method of putting a curse on someone. The phrase refers to the implements once used when someone was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church. I'll go after him bell, book, and candle if he threatens my family again.2. Items that are symbolic or indicative of the strange or miraculous. She's the type of person who will come over with bell, book, and candle to try to bring about positive changes in your life.See also: and, candle

hold a candle to (someone or something)

To compare to someone or something; to be as good or desirable as someone or something. Often used in the negative to mean the opposite. I'm really surprised that the sequel holds a candle to the original. John's fast all right, but he can't hold a candle to Louise!See also: candle, hold

not fit to hold a candle to (someone or something)

Cannot compare to someone or something; is not nearly as good or desirable as someone or something. The sequel wasn't bad, but it's not fit to hold a candle to the original. John's fast all right, but he isn’t fit to hold a candle to Louise!See also: candle, fit, hold, not

candlelight

Another name for twilight. Be careful driving in candlelight—there might be deer on the road.

not hold a candle to (someone or something)

To not be nearly as good, desirable, or impressive as someone or something else. The sequel isn't too bad, but it doesn't hold a candle to the original. John's a nice enough guy, he just can't hold a candle our last supervisor.See also: candle, hold, not

burn both ends of the candle

To overwork or exhaust oneself by doing too much of something or too many different things, especially by staying up late and getting up early to do so. Oh, Denise is definitely burning both ends of the candle—she's been getting to the office early and staying very late to work on some big project. You've got to stop burning both ends of the candle like this, or you're going to drive yourself to an early grave!See also: both, burn, candle, end, of

bell, book, and candle things that are miraculous or that signal that something

unusual or bizarre may soon happen. (Alluding originally to the items used when performing the rite of excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church.) Look, I can't work miracles! Do you expect me to show up at your house with bell, book, and candle, and make everything right? You have to take charge of your own destiny! On the top shelf of the tiny used-book store, Jim saw a bell, book, and candle sitting in a row, and he knew he was going to find some very interesting reading material.See also: and, candle, miraculous, signal, that, thing

burn the candle at both ends

Fig. to work very hard and stay up very late at night. (One end of the candle is work done in the daylight, and the other end is work done at night.) No wonder Mary is ill. She has been burning the candle at both ends for a long time. You'll wear out if you keep burning the candle at both ends.See also: both, burn, candle, end

can't hold a candle to someone

Fig. not [to be] equal to someone; unable to measure up to someone. (Also with cannot.) Mary can't hold a candle to Ann when it comes to athletics. As for singing, John can't hold a candle to Jane.See also: candle, hold

not hold a stick to someone or something

and not hold a candle to someone or somethingFig. not to be nearly as good as someone or something. Sally is much faster than Bob. Bob doesn't hold a stick to Sally. This TV doesn't hold a candle to that one. That one is much better.See also: hold, not, stick

burn the candle at both ends

Exhaust one's energies or resources by leading a hectic life. For example, Joseph's been burning the candle at both ends for weeks, working two jobs during the week and a third on weekends . This metaphor originated in France and was translated into English in Randle Cotgrave's Dictionary (1611), where it referred to dissipating one's wealth. It soon acquired its present broader meaning. See also: both, burn, candle, end

game is not worth the candle, the

The returns from an activity or enterprise do not warrant the time, money or effort required. For example, The office he is running for is so unimportant that the game's not worth the candle. This expression, which began as a translation of a term used by the French essayist Michel de Montaigne in 1580, alludes to gambling by candlelight, which involved the expense of illumination. If the winnings were not sufficient, they did not warrant the expense. Used figuratively, it was a proverb within a century. See also: game, not, worth

hold a candle to, not

Also, not fit to or cannot hold a candle to. Be inferior to someone or something, as in This hotel can't hold a candle to the Palace, or This new friend of his is not fit to hold a candle to his former buddies. This expression was already a proverb in John Heywood's collection of 1546 and alludes to holding a candle to provide light for someone, at that time considered a menial chore. See also: candle, hold, not

burn the candle at both ends

If you burn the candle at both ends, you try to do too much, regularly going to bed late and getting up early in the morning. Try not to exhaust yourself by burning the candle at both ends. Frank seemed to delight in burning the candle at both ends. No matter how late he stayed out, he was up at five o'clock the next morning to study.See also: both, burn, candle, end

can't hold a candle to someone/something

If you are comparing two people or things and you say that the first can't hold a candle to the second, you mean that the second is much better than the first. None of these teams can hold a candle to the sides led by Franz Beckenbauer in the early 70s. Newspapers, books and radio cannot hold a candle to television. Note: This expression suggests that the first person does not even deserve to hold a light to help the other person to see. See also: candle, hold, someone, something

not worth the candle

BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONEDIf something is not worth the candle, it is not worth the trouble or effort which is needed in order to achieve or obtain it. Harrison has described the reforms proposed by the governor as `not worth the candle'. Note: You can also talk about the game being worth the candle. He can boast that he married the richest woman in the world. But he must sometimes wonder whether the game was worth the candle. Note: This expression originally referred to a game of cards where the amount of money that people were competing for was less than the cost of the candle used up during the game. See also: candle, not, worth

bell, book, and candle

a formula for laying a curse on someone. This expression alludes to the closing words of the rite of excommunication, ‘Do to the book, quench the candle, ring the bell’, meaning that the service book is closed, the candle put out, and the passing bell rung, as a sign of spiritual death.See also: and, candle

burn the candle at both ends

1 lavish energy or resources in more than one direction at the same time. 2 go to bed late and get up early.See also: both, burn, candle, end

cannot hold a candle to

be nowhere near as good as. informal In the 16th century, an assistant would literally hold a candle to his superior by standing beside him with a candle to provide enough light for him to work by. The modern version suggests that the subordinate is so far inferior that he is unfit to perform even this humble task.See also: candle, cannot, hold

not worth the candle

not justifiable because of the trouble or cost involved. The idea behind this idiom is that expenditure on a candle to provide light for an activity would not be recouped by the profits from that activity. The expression comes from the French phrase le jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle , ‘the game is not worth the candle’. 1998 New Scientist But what if, instead of one … five, fifteen or fifty people…have to endure such an existence? At what point does the game cease to be worth the candle? See also: candle, not, worth

burn the candle at both ˈends

make yourself very tired by doing too much, especially by going to bed late and getting up early: You look exhausted. Been burning the candle at both ends, have you?See also: both, burn, candle, end

cannot hold a candle to somebody/something

(informal) is not as good as somebody or something else: She is a good player, but she can’t hold a candle to a champion like Jane. OPPOSITE: put somebody/something in the shadeIn the past, an assistant used to hold a candle for somebody more senior so that they could have light to do their work. This idiom implies that even this position is too good for the person mentioned.See also: candle, cannot, hold, somebody, something

the ˌgame is not worth the ˈcandle

(old-fashioned, saying) something is not worth the effort needed: After trying to get permission to build the office for a whole year, we gave up, because the game was just not worth the candle.In the past, candles were used for light at night. If a game or an activity was not worth the cost of the candles required to light the room, it was not worth playing or doing.See also: candle, game, not, worth

candlelight

n. dusk; dawn. I’ll see you along about candlelight.

hold a candle to

To compare favorably with: This film doesn't hold a candle to his previous ones.See also: candle, hold

burn the candle at both ends, to (you can't)

To exhaust one’s energies or resources; to stay up late playing and rise early to work hard all day. This expression came into English in the seventeenth century from French (brusler la chandelle par les deux bouts) via Randle Cotgrave’s Dictionary (1611), which defined it as dissipating one’s material wealth. It soon acquired a more general meaning (“He consuming just like a candle on both ends, betwixt wine and women,” Richard Flecknoe, 1658) and appeared regularly enough so that Eric Partridge believed it was a cliché by the mid-eighteenth century. Though clichés usually are not the province of fine poetry, Edna St. Vincent Millay’s “First Fig” (1920) used this one: “My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends—It gives a lovely light.”See also: both, burn, candle

game is not worth the candle, the

The undertaking does not warrant the time, effort, or expense involved. This expression originally was a translation of the French essayist Montaigne’s statement, “Le jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle” (1580), and found its way into John Ray’s proverb collection of 1678. In the days of candlelight illumination, it literally meant that the card game being played was not worth the cost of the candles used to light the proceedings. It soon was transferred to any undertaking and so persisted through the centuries.See also: game, not, worth

hold a candle to, cannot/not fit to

To be vastly inferior to someone. Holding a candle for someone else was already considered a menial task in the sixteenth century. “Who that worst maie, shall holde the candell” appeared in John Heywood’s 1546 collection of proverbs, and “I be not worthy to hold a candle to Aristotle,” wrote Sir Edward Dering (1640). A rhyming example appears in John Byrom’s poetic account, On the Feud between Handel and Bononcini (1773): “Others aver that he to Handel is scarcely fit to hold the candle.”See also: candle, cannot, fit, hold, not

burn the candle at both ends

Extreme effort without time to rest. The phrase, which came originally from a French expression, came to mean working so hard that you burn yourself out. In addition, because candles were once an expensive item, to burn one at both ends implied wasting valuable resources to achieve an obsession. The poet Edna St. Vincent Millay used the image in her verse: My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends—It gives a lovely lightSee also: both, burn, candle, end

candle

can·dle

candle

can•dle

candle

candle

candle

candle

candle in the wind

doesn't hold a candle

The game is not worth the candle.

not worth the candle

burn the candle at both ends

can't hold a candle to (someone or something)

bell, book, and candle

hold a candle to (someone or something)

not fit to hold a candle to (someone or something)

candlelight

not hold a candle to (someone or something)

burn both ends of the candle

bell, book, and candle things that are miraculous or that signal that something

burn the candle at both ends

can't hold a candle to someone

not hold a stick to someone or something

burn the candle at both ends

game is not worth the candle, the

hold a candle to, not

burn the candle at both ends

can't hold a candle to someone/something

not worth the candle

bell, book, and candle

burn the candle at both ends

cannot hold a candle to

not worth the candle

burn the candle at both ˈends

cannot hold a candle to somebody/something

the ˌgame is not worth the ˈcandle

candlelight

hold a candle to

burn the candle at both ends, to (you can't)

game is not worth the candle, the

hold a candle to, cannot/not fit to

burn the candle at both ends

candle

candle,

candle,

candle

candle

Candle

Candle

Candles

CANDLE

can·de·la (cd),

CANDLE

CANDLE

candle

Synonyms for candle

noun stick of wax with a wick in the middle

Synonyms

Related Words

noun the basic unit of luminous intensity adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

Synonyms

Related Words

verb examine eggs for freshness by holding them against a light

Related Words