| 单词 | by inch of candle |
| 释义 | > as lemmasby inch of candle P4. to sell (also let) by the candle, by inch of candle, etc.: to dispose of by auction in which bids are received so long as a small piece of candle burns, the last bid before the candle goes out securing the article; hence in many figurative and transferred uses. Cf. auction n. 3.This appears to have been a custom adopted from the French; cf. Littré, also Cotgrave, at Chandelle. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > selling > a public sale > sell by public sale [verb (transitive)] > sell by auction > sell by specific type of auction to sell (also let) by the candle1680 1680 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 287 The new marked ground..was lett by inch of candle in the towne hall. a1682 Sir T. Browne Let. to Friend (1690) 8 Mere pecuniary Matches, or Marriages made by the Candle. 1694 E. Phillips tr. J. Milton Lett. of State 73 The Council thinks it meet to propose the way of selling by Inch of Candle, as being the most probable means to procure the true value of the Goods. 1695 J. Collier Misc. upon Moral Subj. 49 To give Interest a Share in Friendship, is in effect to sell it by Inch of Candle. 1700 Act 11 & 12 Will. III in London Gaz. No. 6129/1 All such Goods..shall be sold at publick Sale by the Candle. 1797 E. Burke Lett. Peace Regic. France iv, in Wks. IX. 84 Where British faith and honour are to be sold by inch of candle. 1825 W. Hone Every-day Bk. (1826) I. 837 Four acres..are let by inch of candle. 1851 Notes & Queries 15 Nov. 383 Forty or fifty years ago goods were advertised for public sale by the candle. < as lemmas |
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