Candlelighter

/ˈkændəlˌlaɪtər/ noun

Definition

A person whose job was to light candles in churches, theaters, or homes; also, a tool used for lighting candles.

Etymology

From 'candle' + 'lighter,' referring to both the person and the implement. In medieval churches, lighting hundreds of candles was a full-time job performed by appointed clergy or servants, especially before matches were invented.

Kelly Says

Being a candlelighter in a medieval cathedral was actually an important job—you had to arrive before dawn to light all the candles, and you had to be skilled enough not to set the wooden church on fire in the process.

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