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DictionarycandleLight intensity unit
noun

candle

A unit used to measure luminous intensity.

The historical report gives the lamp's intensity in candles.

Etymology
candleLatincandle

Latin candela named a candle. A familiar light source became a reference for comparing brightness, so candle was used as a unit of luminous intensity.

More examples

  • The instrument compared the source with a standard candle.
  • The old specification required a brightness of several candles.
  • A candle was an earlier unit of luminous intensity.

Forms

candle · candles

Similar words

candela
The modern SI unit of luminous intensity, defined by a precise physical standard.