candle-end
(ˈkænd(ə)l ˌɛnd)
Also 6–8 candle's.
1. The end piece of a burnt-down candle, which remains in the socket of the candlestick.
| 1547 Boorde Introd. Knowl. vi. (1870) 141 Whan I ete candels ends, I am at a feest. 1668 R. L'Estrange Vis. Quev. (1708) 65 The Brands and Candle-Ends, which they would still be filching, and laying out of the way. 1732 Pope Ep. Bathurst 292 When Hopkins dies, a thousand lights attend The wretch, who living sav'd a candle's end. 1871 Morley Voltaire (1886) 195 How Voltaire put his host's candle-ends into his pocket. |
† b. to drink off (or eat) candle-ends: a romantic extravagance in drinking a lady's health by which gallants gave token of their devotion. Obs.
| 1597 Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, ii. iv. 267 Dol. Why doth the Prince loue him so then? Fal. Because.. hee..eates Conger and Fennell, and drinkes off Candles ends for Flap-dragons. a 1626 Fletcher M. Thomas ii. ii. (N.) Carouse her health in cans and candle-ends. a 1637 B. Jonson Masque Moon in Dodsley VI. 62 (N.) But none that will hang themselves for love, or eat candle's-ends, as the sublunary lovers do. |
† c. to rate by candle-end: see candle 5 d.
| 1687 J. M. Elegy to Cleveland 51 Wks. 283 The Cause by Candles-end he did not rate, When others Pens did Truth assassinate. |
2. fig. A thing of short duration or of little value; a trifle, fragment, scrap. Usually pl.
| a 1626 Fletcher Hum. Lieut. iii. v. (R.) We are but spans, and candles-ends. 1841 J. W. Orderson Creoleana ii. 16 A saving of cheese parings and candle ends. 1860 Sala Lady Chesterf. v. 81 This nip-cheese, candle-end saving..principle. |