A slender, cylindrical body of tallow, containing a wick composed of loosely twisted linen of cotton threads, and used to furnish light. "How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world." Note: Candles are usually made by repeatedly dipping the wicks in the melted tallow, etc. ("dipped candles"), or by casting or running in a mold.
2.
That which gives light; a luminary. "By these blessed candles of the night."
Candle nut, the fruit of a euphorbiaceous shrub (Aleurites triloba), a native of some of the Pacific islands; socalled because, when dry, it will burn with a bright flame, and is used by the natives as a candle. The oil has many uses.
Candle power (Photom.), illuminating power, as of a lamp, or gas flame, reckoned in terms of the light of a standard candle.
Electric candle, A modification of the electric arc lamp, in which the carbon rods, instead of being placed end to end, are arranged side by side, and at a distance suitable for the formation of the arc at the tip; called also, from the name of the inventor, Jablockoff candle.
Excommunication by inch of candle, a form of excommunication in which the offender is allowed time to repent only while a candle burns.
Not worth the candle, not worth the cost or trouble.
Rush candle, a candle made of the pith of certain rushes, peeled except on one side, and dipped in grease.
Sale by inch of candle, an auction in which persons are allowed to bid only till a small piece of candle burns out.
Standard candle (Photom.), a special form of candle employed as a standard in photometric measurements; usually, a candle of spermaceti so constructed as to burn at the rate of 120 grains, or 7.8 grams, per hour.
To curse by bell, book and candle. See under Bell.
Rush n.
1.
(Bot.) A name given to many aquatic or marsh-growing endogenous plants with soft, slender stems, as the species of Juncus and Scirpus. Note: Some species are used in bottoming chairs and plaiting mats, and the pith is used in some places for wicks to lamps and rushlights.
2.
The merest trifle; a straw. "John Bull's friendship is not worth a rush."
... unacknowledged sense of self-indulgence in this act, and the sense made her go a little softly about it, as if it had to be done secretly. She opened the door slowly, and the rush candle showed her clothing scattered about the room. Her heart stood still; she was breathless; she put down her light and on tiptoes went to the bedside. Denas was fast asleep. Her long hair lay loose upon the pillow, her face was pale and faintly smiling, ... — A Singer from the Sea • Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr Read full book for free!
... back again; but Katherine, no longer Katherine the Shrew, but the obedient wife, said, "Let us go forward, I pray, now we have come so far, and it shall be the sun, or moon, or what you please, and if you please to call it a rush candle henceforth, I vow it shall be so for me." This he was resolved to prove, therefore he said again, "I say, it is the moon." "I know it is the moon," replied Katherine. "You lie, it is the blessed sun," ... — Books for Children - The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb, Vol. 3 • Charles and Mary Lamb Read full book for free!
...
