n.
- a cylinder or block of wax or tallow with a central wick which is lit to produce light as it burns.
-
(also international candle)
Physics a unit of luminous intensity, superseded by the candela.
v.
test (an egg) for freshness or fertility by holding it to the light.
Phrase
- be unable to hold a candle to
informal be not nearly as good as. -
(the game's)
not worth the candle
the potential advantages to be gained from doing something do not justify the cost or trouble involved.
Derivative
Etymology
OE candel, from L. candela, from candere ‘be white or glisten’.