candela

[kan-dee-luh] /kænˈdi lə/
noun, Optics.
1.
a basic unit of luminous intensity in the International System of Units (SI), formally defined as the luminous intensity of a source that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 × 10 12 hertz and that has a radiant intensity of 1/683 watt/steradian: adopted in 1979 as the international standard of luminous intensity.
Abbreviation: Cd.
Origin
1945-50; < Latin: candle
Examples from the web for candela
  • For historical reasons, the candela is the fundamental unit of light, even though the lumen is more simply defined.
British Dictionary definitions for candela

candela

/kænˈdiːlə; -ˈdeɪlə/
noun
1.
the basic SI unit of luminous intensity; the luminous intensity in a given direction of a source that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 × 1012 hertz and that has a radiant intensity in that direction of (1/683) watt per steradian cd Also called candle, standard candle
Word Origin
C20: from Latin: candle

Candela

/kænˈdiːlə/
noun
1.
Felix. 1910–97, Mexican architect, noted for his naturalistic modern style and thin prestressed concrete roofs
Word Origin and History for candela
n.

unit of luminous intensity, 1950, from Latin candela (see candle).

candela in Medicine

candela can·del·a (kān-děl'ə)
n.
Abbr. cd
A unit of measurement of luminous flux, equal to the amount of light given out through a solid angle by a source of one candela radiating equally in all directions. Also called candle.

candela in Science
candela
(kān-děl'ə)
The SI unit used to measure the brightness of a source of light (its luminous intensity). By definition, one square centimeter of a blackbody at the freezing point of platinum emits one-sixtieth of a candela of radiation. See Table at measurement. See also lumen, luminous flux.

Encyclopedia Article for candela

unit of luminous intensity in the International System of Units (SI), defined as the luminous intensity in a given direction of a source that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 1012 hertz and has a radiant intensity in that same direction of 1683 watt per steradian (unit solid angle). The candela has replaced the standard candle or lamp as a unit of luminous intensity in calculations involving artificial lighting and is sometimes called the "new candle."

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