candlepower

[kan-dl-pou-er] /ˈkæn dlˌpaʊ ər/
noun, Optics.
1.
(formerly) a measure of luminous intensity expressed in candles.
Also, candle power.
Origin
1875-80; candle + power
Examples from the web for candlepower
  • There is some controversy over who first placed parabolic mirrors behind flames to boost candlepower.
  • From a writer of such heavy intellectual candlepower, this seems a rather narrow, even maudlin view of the art.
  • The luminaire light distribution category when there is no candlepower limitation in the zone above maximum candlepower.
  • However, the word candlepower persists as a legacy term in common use.
British Dictionary definitions for candlepower

candlepower

/ˈkændəlˌpaʊə/
noun
1.
the luminous intensity of a source of light in a given direction: now expressed in candelas but formerly in terms of the international candle
candlepower in Science
candlepower
  (kān'dl-pou'ər)   
Luminous intensity, expressed in candelas.
Encyclopedia Article for candlepower

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."

Learn more about candela with a free trial on Britannica.com