| Webster's Online Dictionary |
| Expressions | Definition | ||
| Bell, book, and candle | Bell, book, and candle is an archaic method of excommunication for one who had committed a particularly grievous sin. Apparently introduced around the late 9th century, the practice was once used by the Roman Catholic Church. (references) | ||
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | Top | ||
| Expressions | Domain | Definition | |
| Bell, Book, and Candle | Literature | 1: "Bell, book, and candle shall not drive me back."- Shakespeare: King John, iii. 3. 2: A ceremony in the greater excommunication introduced into the Catholic Church in the eighth century. After reading the sentence a bell is rung, a book closed, and a candle extinguished. From that moment the excommunicated person is excluded from the sacraments and even divine worship. 3: In spite of bell, book, and candle, i.e. in spite of all the opposition which the Christian hierarchy can offer. (See Cursing.) 4: Is reading the anathema in the church, then closing the Bible, tolling the bell, and extinguishing all the candles, saying "Fiat, fiat! Do-to (close) the Book, quench the candles, ring the bell. Amen, amen." Source: Brewer's Dictionary. | |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | Top | ||
