Lightly touch centre of very thin candle (5)
'thin candle' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'lightly touch centre of very' is the wordplay.
'lightly touch' becomes 'tap' (tap can mean to touch lightly or softly).
'centre of' says to take the centre.
The central letters of 'very' are 'er'.
'tap'+'er'='TAPER'
(Other definitions for taper that I've seen before include "One might record" , "Become thinner - lighter" , "See the light" , "Fall off" , "Gradually become thinner" .)
This clue is a sextuple definition!!!
'lightly' is the first definition.
(synonyms)
'touch' is the second definition.
(light touch is a kind of touch)
'centre' is the third definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'of' is a link.
'very' is the fourth definition.
'thin' is the fifth definition.
(similar in meaning)
'candle' is the sixth definition.
(thesaurus)
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for light that I've seen before include "not overburdened" , "Amusing" , "Airy; not heavy" , "Form of radiation - not serious" , "Easy to carry" .)