Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CAN'DLE, n. [L. Sp. and It. candela; Fr. chandelle; Sax. candel; Pers. kandil; Arm. cantol; W. canwyll, Ir. cainneal; from L. candeo, to shine, to be white, or its root. The primary sense of the root is, to shoot, to throw, to radiate. See Cant and Chant.]

1. A long, but small cylindrical body of tallow, wax or spermaceti, formed on a wick composed of linen or cotton threads, twisted loosely, used for a portable light of domestic use.
2. A light.
3. A light; a luminary. In Scripture, the candle of the Lord is the divine favor and blessing, Job xxix. 3; or the conscience or understanding. – Prov. xx. 27. Excommunication by inch of candle, is when the offender is allowed time to repent, while a candle burns, and is then excommunicated. Sale by inch of candle, is an auction in which persons are allowed to bid, only till a small piece of candle burns out. Medicated candle, in medicine, a bougie. Rush-candles are used in some countries; they are made of the pitch of certain rushes, peeled except on one side, and, dipped in grease. – Encyc.