| 单词 | to set a candle before or to the devil |
| 释义 | > as lemmasto set (also light, proffer) a candle before or to the devil ΘΚΠ society > faith > worship > exorcism > perform exorcism [verb (intransitive)] to set (also light, proffer) a candle before or to the devil?1463 the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > evil spirit or demon > [verb (intransitive)] > perform exorcism to set (also light, proffer) a candle before or to the devil?1463 society > morality > moral evil > wrong conduct > evildoing or wrongdoing > do evil or wrong [verb (intransitive)] misdoOE lithera1300 malignc1425 to do (also play the) naught1594 to hold a candle to the devil1598 ?1463 R. Cutler in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 260 A man must sumtyme set a candel be-for þe Deuyll. 1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue i. x. sig. Ciiiv I therby fearyng She wolde spit her venym, thought it not euyll To set vp a candell before the deuyll. 1573 T. Tusser Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) f. 61 Thou maist find ease, so proffring vp a candell to the deuill. 1598 J. Marston Certaine Satyres in Metamorph. Pigmalions Image 45 A damn'd Macheuelian. Holds candle to the deuill for a while, That he the better may the world beguile. 1649 J. Howell Preheminence Parl. 20 According to the Italian Proverb, That one must sometimes light a candle to the Devil. c1670 Lady Abergavenny in R. Mansell Narr. Popish Plot 12 She could not endure to hear it, but yet was forced to hold a Candle to the Devil. 1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth II. 213 Here have I been holding a candle to the devil, to show him the way to mischief. < as lemmas |
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