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Glite Dictionary
candlepower unit

candlepower unit

7.6
A unit for measuring how bright a light is, using a candle as the standard
  • noun
  • /ˈkændlˌpaʊər ˈjuːnɪt/
  • Archaic
translation icon : unidad de candelas
  • Scientists replaced candlepower units with the candela as a more precise standard for measuring luminous intensity.

Examples

  • Early headlights often specified their output in candlepower units to describe their intensity.

  • The brightness of the new lamp was measured in candlepower units to ensure it met safety standards.

  • The lamp emits a brightness of 60 candlepower units.

  • How many candlepower units does this flashlight have?

  • In photography, light sources are often measured in candlepower units to gauge their brightness.

  • The specifications for this projector include its luminous intensity rated in candlepower units.

  • When comparing light bulbs, manufacturers frequently list their output in candlepower units.

Synonyms

candle
vscandlepower unit
  • Archaic
23 8.8

An old unit for measuring how bright a light is

is the term derived from that original unit but used historically
candlepower
vscandlepower unit
  • Archaic
1 7.4

A measure of how bright a light is based on one candle

is the historical name originally based on that standard reference
standard candle
vscandlepower unit
  • Specialized
1 9.5

A standard measure of how bright a light is, originally based on a candle

is the unit named from that reference rather than its precise definition

Surface Forms

candlepower unit singular
candlepower units plural

Morphology

candlepower + unit

The noun phrase is transparently built from 'candlepower' (a measure of light) + 'unit' (a measurement quantity), so its meaning as a unit for measuring luminous intensity is directly derivable from the constituents. This simple noun+noun compositional pattern is common and cross-linguistically straightforward, so a B1 learner who knows both words would understand the expression.

Etymology

The noun candlepower unit comes from the old practice of using one candle as a simple standard: people compared a lamp's light to a single candle, called the candle's light strength its power, and treated that as a unit of light. So candlepower unit means a 'measure of light' or 'brightness' based on a candle's flame.