noun / verb
wick
WIK/wɪk/
A cord that draws liquid fuel to a flame by absorption.
The cotton wick draws oil up to the lamp's flame.
Etymology
Old English weoce already meant the fiber cord in a lamp or candle. The word preserves that practical meaning, but its deeper origin is unknown.
In context
her lamp, and at that moment the shade cracked under the cold drops and fell to pieces, and the wind instantly extinguished the flame of the flaring wick.
More examples
- Trim the candle's wick before lighting it.
- This shirt wicks sweat away from your skin.
- The paper towel wicked water from the shallow dish.
Forms
wick · wicks · wicked · wicking