n. & v.
n. 1 a cylinder or block of wax or tallow with a central wick, for giving light when burning. 2 = CANDLEPOWER.
v.tr. test (an egg) for freshness by holding it to the light. cannot hold a candle to cannot be compared with; is much inferior to. not worth the candle not justifying the cost or trouble. candler n.
[ OE candel f. L candela f. candere shine ]