Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CANDLE, v. and n.
I. v. 1. To rub with candle grease or tallow.Edb. 1816 J. Aikman Poems 233:
I'm nae great horseman at the best, An ye may guess, wi' sic a beast, How my poor flesh parts, whar' I rest, How they were handled; It's true as Book — John, an' nae jest, I had them candled.
2. In plumbing: to taper the end of a lead-pipe for inserting into another in making a joint (Sc. 1972 J. Hastings Plumber's Companion 50). Hence candling, the end so made (Ib.).
II. n. = candling above (Ib.).
[From its being shaped like a candle. But it is poss. that the word is orig. an extended usage of Cannel, n., v., later associated in form and meaning with candle.]
