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Candle
A candle is an ignitable wick embedded in wax, or another flammable solid substance such as tallow, that provides light, and in some cases, a fragrance. A candle can also provide heat or a method of keeping time.
A person who makes candles is traditionally known as a chandler. Various devices have been invented to hold candles, from simple tabletop candlesticks, also known as candle holders, to elaborate candelabra and chandeliers.For a candle to burn, a heat source (commonly a naked flame from a match or lighter) is used to light the candle’s wick, which melts and vaporizes a small amount of fuel (the wax). Once vaporized, the fuel combines with oxygen in the atmosphere to ignite and form a constant flame. This flame provides sufficient heat to keep the candle burning via a self-sustaining chain of events: the heat of the flame melts the top of the mass of solid fuel; the liquefied fuel then moves upward through the wick via capillary action; the liquefied fuel finally vaporizes to burn within the candle’s flame.
As the fuel (wax) is melted and burned, the candle becomes shorter. Portions of the wick that are not emitting vaporized fuel are consumed in the flame. The incineration of the wick limits the length of the exposed portion of the wick, thus maintaining a constant burning temperature and rate of fuel consumption. Some wicks require regular trimming with scissors (or a specialized wick trimmer), usually to about one-quarter inch (~0.7 cm), to promote slower, steady burning, and also to prevent smoking. Special candle-scissors called “snuffers” were produced for this purpose in the 20th century and were often combined with an extinguisher. In modern candles, the wick is constructed so that it curves over as it burns. This ensures that the end of the wick gets oxygen and is then consumed by fire—a self-trimming wick.
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Bougie (noun)
A tapered cylindrical instrument for introducing an object into a tubular anatomical structure, or to dilate such a structure, as with an esophageal bougie.
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Bougie (noun)
A wax candle.
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Bougie (adjective)
Behaving like or pertaining to people of a higher social status, middle-class / bourgeoisie people sometimes carrying connotations of fakeness, elitism, or snobbery.
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Candle (noun)
A light source consisting of a wick embedded in a solid, flammable substance such as wax, tallow, or paraffin.
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Candle (noun)
The protruding, removable portion of a filter, particularly a water filter.
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Candle (noun)
A unit of luminous intensity, now replaced by the SI unit candela.
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Candle (noun)
A fast-growing, light-colored, upward-growing shoot on a pine tree in the spring. As growth slows in summer, the shoot darkens and is no longer conspicuous.
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Candle (verb)
To observe the growth of an embryo inside (an egg), using a bright light source.
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Candle (verb)
To dry greenware prior to beginning of the firing cycle, setting the kiln at 200° Celsius until all water is removed from the greenware.
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Candle (verb)
To check an item (such as an envelope) by holding it between a light source and the eye.
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Bougie (noun)
a thin, flexible surgical instrument for exploring or dilating a passage of the body.
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Bougie (adjective)
exhibiting qualities attributed to the middle class, especially pretentiousness or conventionality
“the candlelit cocktail party was pretty bougie”