Is the Hefner candle still used today?

No, it was replaced by the international candela (cd) in the mid-20th century.

What was a Hefner candle based on?

It was based on the light from a standardised flame burning amyl acetate.

Where was the Hefner candle primarily used?

It was used predominantly in Germany and other parts of continental Europe.

Why would I encounter this term?

You would only encounter it in historical scientific texts, old engineering manuals, or studies on the history of measurement.

Is “hefner candle” formal?

Hefner candle is usually technical / historical in register.

How do you pronounce “hefner candle”?

Hefner candle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɛfnə ˈkændl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɛfnər ˈkændl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

hefner candle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Very Rare

UK/ˈhɛfnə ˈkændl/US/ˈhɛfnər ˈkændl/

Technical / Historical

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “hefner candle” mean?

A former unit of luminous intensity used primarily in Germany.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A former unit of luminous intensity used primarily in Germany.

A historical, technical photometric measurement unit, superseded by the candela.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No regional difference in usage; the term is equally obsolete and technical in both varieties.

Connotations

Technical, historical, archaic.

Frequency

Extremely low frequency in both; encountered only in specialised historical contexts.

Grammar

How to Use “hefner candle” in a Sentence

The [noun] was measured in Hefner candles.A luminosity of X Hefner candles.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

unit ofmeasurement ofstandard

medium

historicalGermanphotometric

weak

obsoleteflamelight

Examples

Examples of “hefner candle” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

The Hefner-candle standard was widely adopted in continental Europe.

American English

He referenced the obsolete Hefner-candle unit.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Not used.

Academic

Used only in historical discussions of photometry or metrology.

Everyday

Never used.

Technical

Used in historical technical writing about lighting measurement.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “hefner candle”

Strong

carcel unitviolle

Neutral

candle (unit)luminous intensity unit

Weak

light unitphotometric standard

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “hefner candle”

candela (as the modern replacement)

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “hefner candle”

Using it as a current unit.
Confusing it with the modern candela (cd).
Assuming it's a brand or a type of household candle.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No, it was replaced by the international candela (cd) in the mid-20th century.
: It was based on the light from a standardised flame burning amyl acetate.
: It was used predominantly in Germany and other parts of continental Europe.
: You would only encounter it in historical scientific texts, old engineering manuals, or studies on the history of measurement.
: A former unit of luminous intensity used primarily in Germany.
: Hefner candle is usually technical / historical in register.
: Hefner candle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɛfnə ˈkændl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɛfnər ˈkændl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“None”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Hefner Candle: Think 'Hefner' like the name, 'Candle' like the light source – a named, old-fashioned way to measure light.

Conceptual Metaphor

QUANTITY IS A PHYSICAL OBJECT (A specific candle).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The was a German photometric unit based on a standard flame.

Multiple Choice

What best describes a 'Hefner candle' today?