Roman candle

American  

noun

1. a firework consisting of a tube that sends out a shower of sparks and a succession of balls of fire.

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Roman candle British  

noun

1. a firework that produces a continuous shower of sparks punctuated by coloured balls of fire

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Etymology

Origin of Roman candle

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Roman candle

“Trees, they exploded and flamed up like a Roman candle immediately.”

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 21, 2023

It was with his Roman candle of a play, The Normal Heart, that his two lives most directly intersected.

From The Guardian ● May 27, 2020

His golf partner, his oldest son, then known as “Junior” and the Roman candle in the family, did look, though, and leveled a fierce glare at me.

From New York Times ● Dec. 2, 2018

But in penman Robert Hurford’s hands, H explodes like a Roman candle in ink.

From Washington Times ● Aug. 5, 2017

Leo holds a hand out for a Roman candle.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz