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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Candle \Can"dle\, n. [OE. candel, candel, AS, candel, fr. L.
candela a (white) light made of wax or tallow, fr. cand["e]re
to be white. See {Candid}, and cf. {Chandler}, {Cannel},
{Kindle}.]
1. A slender, cylindrical body of tallow, containing a wick
composed of loosely twisted linen of cotton threads, and
used to furnish light.
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How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a naughty world. --Shak.
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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.
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2. That which gives light; a luminary.
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By these blessed candles of the night. --Shak.
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{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}.
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