candlelight (kandllit)

[ That children hath bi candelliht Heore [their] shadowe on the wall isen [seen]. Early Eng . Poems (ed. Furnivall, 1862), p. 138. In darkne candle - light may serve to guide men's steps, which to use in the day were madne . Hooker, Eccles. Pol., II. iv. § 7. 2. The time at which candles or lamps are lighted: an expre ion much used in places or regions where no correct standard of time is easily acce ible: as, the evening service will begin at early candle-light. Swift . Between daylight and candle -light. Candle mas (kan'dl-mas), n. [ ma e , -me e (cf. Dan. kyndelmi e = Sw. kyn delsme a , after E.), candel - ma e , can del , candle, + ma e , ma . The ML. terms were candela ria , candelatio , can delos a , also can del a.] An ecclesiastical festival held on the second day of February in honor of the presentation of the infant Christ in the temple and the purification of the Virgin Mary. It seems to have been instituted in the first half of the fifth century, though some authorities believe it to be older. It was first observed in the East. The feast takes its name from the custom, as old as the seventh century, of carrying lighted candles in proce ion in memory of Simeon's words at the presentation of the infant (Luke ii. 32), "a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. On this day Roman Catholics consecrate the candles and tapers to be used in their churches throughout the ensuing year. The feast is retained in the Anglican Church, and is also observed by the Luther ans. It is also called the Purification, and in the Greek Church the Hypapante. In Scotland the date of this festival, February 2d, is one of the quarter-days for paying and receiving rents, interest, school-fees, etc. Candle mas-bell (kan'dl-mas-bel), w. The snowdrop, Galanthus nival is: so called from the time of its flowering. The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia: Dictionary IMG:content-3025.png:[blocks in formation] per hour. candle-quench erst, n. pl. Candle-snuffers. Can del quenchers, and for so the where the snoffes ben quenchid, be the i maad of moost puyr gold. Wyclif , Ex. xxv. 33 (Oxf.).