Synonyms for candle


Grammar : Noun
Spell : kan-dl
Phonetic Transcription : ˈkæn dl


Définition of candle

Origin :
  • Old English candel "lamp, lantern, candle," an early ecclesiastical borrowing from Latin candela "a light, torch, candle made of tallow or wax," from candere "to shine," from PIE root *kand- "to glow, to shine, to shoot out light" (cf. Sanskrit cand- "to give light, shine," candra- "shining, glowing, moon;" Greek kandaros "coal;" Welsh cann "white;" Middle Irish condud "fuel").
  • Candles were unknown in ancient Greece (where oil lamps sufficed), but common from early times among Romans and Etruscans. Candles on birthday cakes seems to have been originally a German custom. To hold a candle to originally meant "to help in a subordinate capacity," from the notion of an assistant or apprentice holding a candle for light while the master works. To burn the candle at both ends is recorded from 1730.
  • noun taper
Example sentences :
  • He lit a candle, and went cautiously down the rickety staircase.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • Blowing out the candle, he advanced to the table and set it down.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • A candle had recently been lighted, and it stood on the table near this man.
  • Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand
  • He accompanied her to the foot of the stairs and lit her candle.
  • Extract from : « Viviette » by William J. Locke
  • When they reached the cellar, she took the candle and went to look at the door.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • She set the candle on the floor, and put in the key as quietly as she could.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • The candle was in her hand, and she was staring at the letter.
  • Extract from : « K » by Mary Roberts Rinehart
  • But you rake a match to light the candle, and that little bit of a noise will fetch him.
  • Extract from : « Tom Sawyer Abroad » by Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
  • And suppose I set fire to this pyramid with a candle—will she burn up?
  • Extract from : « Tom Sawyer Abroad » by Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
  • Aw, she's a poor mouth, that woman, and not fit to hold a candle to Eleanor.
  • Extract from : « The Foolish Lovers » by St. John G. Ervine

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019