candle

Compared meaning: a candle, a wax stick with a wick (noun).

比较义项：蜡烛（名词）。

• candle 本词

  The general, everyday word for any wax stick with a wick; neutral in tone, with no implication about shape, size or elegance.

  candle是最普通、日常的用词，泛指任何带灯芯的蜡烛，语气中性，不含有关形状、大小或优雅感的暗示。

  She lit a candle on the table to create a cozy atmosphere.

  她在桌上点燃了一支蜡烛，营造出温馨的氛围。

• taper

  A slightly formal or old-fashioned word for a long, thin candle, often chosen for elegant, decorative or ceremonial settings rather than everyday use.

  taper是一个略显正式或老式的词，专指又细又长的蜡烛，常用于优雅、装饰性或仪式性的场合，而不是日常用语。

  She placed a slender taper in each silver candlestick before the ceremony.

  在仪式开始前，她在每个银烛台上放了一支细长的蜡烛。

Candle and taper both mean a wax stick with a wick. Candle is the plain, everyday word. Taper is more formal: a long, thin, elegant candle for decoration or ceremonies. Taper can also mean 'to become thinner', a sense not compared here.

在“蜡烛”这个意思上，candle和taper都指蜡烛，但candle是最普通的日常用词，taper特指又细又长、常带优雅或仪式感的蜡烛，语域更正式。这里不比较taper作动词表示“逐渐变细”或作名词表示“逐渐减少”的用法。