Meaning & use
guttering candle
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Meaning
phrasecountableliterary
A candle that is burning unsteadily, with the flame flickering and the melted wax forming channels, often about to go out.
Grammar: Countable phrase; plural is 'guttering candles'. Can be used as a subject or object.
Patterns
- a guttering candle
- the guttering candle
- by the light of a guttering candle
The guttering candle cast strange shadows on the walls.
She read her book by the light of a guttering candle.
A guttering candle on the table signaled that the power was still out.
Word forms
| plural | guttering candles |
|---|
Common combinations
- a guttering candle flickers
- The guttering candle flickered in the draft from the open window.
- the light of a guttering candle
- He wrote his letter by the light of a guttering candle.
- a guttering candle on the table
- A guttering candle on the table was the only source of light.
- blow out a guttering candle
- She blew out the guttering candle before going to bed.
Synonyms and how they differ
- flickering candle
- Focuses on the unsteady movement of the flame, while 'guttering candle' emphasizes the melting wax and the candle's near extinction.
- dying candle
- Suggests the candle is about to go out completely, whereas 'guttering' describes the manner of burning, not necessarily the end.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'guttering candle' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The correct answer is B because 'guttering' describes a candle burning unsteadily. An is wrong because 'guttering' implies unsteadiness, not steady brightness. C is wrong because 'guttering' is not a verb. D is wrong because 'guttering' is not a permanent quality you buy; it describes a state while burning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “guttering candle”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.