Synonyms for hold a candle to


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

Top 10 synonyms for hold a candle to Other synonyms for the word hold a candle to

Définition of hold a candle to

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.
  • As in touch : verb compare with; correspond to
  • As in compare : verb examine in contrast
  • As in compare : verb liken, equate
  • As in contrast : verb compare, differ

Antonyms for hold a candle to

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