candlewood

American  

[kan-dl-wood] / ˈkæn dlˌwʊd /

noun

1. any resinous wood used for torches or as a substitute for candles.

2. any of various trees or shrubs yielding such wood.

---

candlewood British  

/ ˈkændəlˌwʊd /

noun

1. the resinous wood of any of several trees, used for torches and candle substitutes

2. any tree or shrub, such as ocotillo, that produces this wood

---

Etymology

Origin of candlewood

1625–35, candle + wood ¹; so called because it burns brightly

Example Sentences

The desert light and contrasting colors of purple candlewood blossoms and yellow sagebrush among the Sangre de Cristo mountains also attracted artists from across the Mississippi.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2023

In the early days, when the country was new, the only light was firelight, candlewood, or pine torches.

From Colonial Homes and Their Furnishings by Northend, Mary H.

Others growled applause as they saw the den illuminated by the lurid flame of the candlewood which the proprietor lighted.

From Sónnica by Blasco Ibáñez, Vicente

The flaming candlewood licked the resinous logs, and soon the smoke and flames began to enwrap the corpse.

From Sónnica by Blasco Ibáñez, Vicente

Some people, including Governors Winthrop and Higginson, in 1620 sent to England for supplies of tallow or suet to make their own candles, but the majority had to be content with candlewood.

From Colonial Homes and Their Furnishings by Northend, Mary H.