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

Words or expressions associated with your search

Most wanted synonyms

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