'Sale by inch of candle' definitions:

Definition of 'Sale by inch of candle'

From: 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. [1913 Webster]
  • How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. That which gives light; a luminary. [1913 Webster]
  • By these blessed candles of the night. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]