> as lemmas

1829 F. Marryat Naval Officer I. viii. 231 I was down in one of the wings, reading by the light of a purser's dip—vulgo, a farthing candle.

1927 P. Riley Mem. 89 Each mess being allowed a few small candles, known as ‘Purser's dips’, to last the week.

1994 P. O'Brian Commodore (1996) iii. 85 One, a dark, fierce-looking man sitting on the deck trying to read by a purser's dip.