Tealight

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈtiˌlaɪt/

Definitions

1. A small candle used for lighting or decoration that typically comes in a metal or plastic holder
2. A compact candle often used to illuminate spaces or enhance ambiance, usually encased in a disposable holder
3. A miniature candle designed for creating soft light and often used in various decorative settings, typically encased in a small container

Etymology: A tealight is a small, disposable candle, typically a thin disc of wax sitting in a thin aluminium or plastic cup, and the name is simple: it is a light for warming a teapot. The wax burns for a few hours, which is just long enough to keep a pot of tea warm, and the cup contains the melted wax so it does not spill onto the table. The tealight's job is therefore tied to the teapot itself, a small heater placed beneath the vessel. The compound is transparent in its parts, "tea" plus "light," and the same pairing appears in other European languages, with Dutch "theelicht" and German "Teelicht" built the same way. That shared construction suggests the object and its purpose spread together, with the name following the function rather than being invented from scratch.

Synonyms: candle, light