King Alfred's candle

noun

King Al·​fred's candle
-ˈalfrə̇dz-
: an early time-telling device consisting of a candle marked off in time bands to show the passage of time by the amount the candle burns down

Word History

Etymology

after Alfred the Great †901 king of the West Saxons in England; from the belief that he developed such a device

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Cite this Entry

“King Alfred's candle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/King%20Alfred%27s%20candle. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

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