candlewood
9.9
A tree or bush whose wood burns easily to give light
- noun
- /ˈkændlˌwʊd/
- Archaic
- In the forest, we spotted a candlewood shrub shining in the sunlight.
Examples
-
The candlewood tree has velvety, triangular fruits.
Academic text (1995) -
He's staying at Candlewood, 451!
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The candlewood tree produces a fragrant resin that is often used in making candles.
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Historically, people would gather candlewood for its soft, burnable wood to light their homes.
Synonyms
A tropical or subtropical tree whose wood burns easily for making torches
is a broader term for resinous trees or shrubs used for light historically
Surface Forms
candlewood singular
candlewoods plural
Morphology
Etymology
Candlewood comes from the parts candle and wood. It names trees whose sticky sap makes their wood 'burn like a candle', so people used candlewood as a simple source of light.