<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Look up wick in Wiktionary, the free dictionary . </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Look up wick in Wiktionary, the free dictionary . </Td> </Tr> <P> A candle wick is usually a braided cotton that holds the flame of an oil lamp or candle . A candle wick works by capillary action, conveying ("wicking") the fuel to the flame . When the liquid fuel, typically melted candle wax, reaches the flame it then vaporizes and combusts . The candle wick influences how the candle burns . Important characteristics of the wick include diameter, stiffness, fire - resistance, and tethering . </P> <P> Candle wicks are normally made out of braided cotton . Wicks are sometimes braided flat, so that as they burn they also curl back into the flame, thus making them self - consuming . Prior to the introduction of these wicks special scissors were used to trim the excess wick without extinguishing the flame . </P>

What is the purpose of a candle wick