candle

Pluralcandles

Formscandles, candling, candled

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A stick of wax with a string inside that burns to give light.

   She lit a candle when the power went out.

   The birthday cake had ten candles on top.

   Note
2. 2
   verbtransitive

   To hold an egg in front of a bright light to see if a chick is growing inside.

   Like shining a flashlight through a thin bag to see what is inside.

   Farmers candle their eggs after a week to check for growing chicks.

   She candled the eggs and removed the ones with nothing growing inside.

   Note
3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To hold something, like an envelope, up to a light to see what is inside it.

   He candled the envelope to see if there was money inside.

   You can candle a letter by holding it up to a lamp.

4. 4
   nouncountable

   The long part of a water filter that sticks out and can be taken out and replaced.

   Dad took the candle out of the water filter and washed it.

   When the water tastes bad, it is time to put in a fresh candle.

5. 5
   nouncountable

   The light-colored new growth that points straight up on a pine tree in spring.

   Each branch tip on the pine had a pale candle pointing at the sky.

   In May, the pines were covered with soft new candles.

   Note
6. 6
   verbtransitive

   To dry clay pieces slowly at low heat so all the water leaves before the pottery oven gets really hot.

   The teacher candles the pots overnight so they do not crack when they get hot.

   Always candle thick clay pieces before you fire them.

   Note
7. 7
   nounidiomatic

   An imaginary scale that shows how much ceremony an Anglican church uses in its worship.

   Our church is quite high up the candle, with bells, robes, and incense every Sunday.

   He preferred a service lower down the candle, with simple prayers and no robes.

   Note

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