Not worth the candle
(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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