Lantern

Quick meaning: Lantern is a noun meaning A case of translucent or transparent material made to protect a flame, or light, used to illuminate its surroundings.

Meaning

A case of translucent or transparent material made to protect a flame, or light, used to illuminate its surroundings.

More Meanings

1. (theater) Especially, a metal casing with lens used to illuminate a stage (e.g. spotlight, floodlight).
2. (architecture) An open structure of light material set upon a roof, to give light and air to the interior.
3. (architecture) A cage or open chamber of rich architecture, open below into the building or tower which it crowns.
4. (architecture) A smaller and secondary cupola crowning a larger one, for ornament, or to admit light.
5. (engineering) A lantern pinion or trundle wheel.
6. (rail transport) A light formerly used as a signal by a railway guard or conductor at night.
7. (steam engines) A kind of cage inserted in a stuffing box and surrounding a piston rod, to separate the packing into two parts and form a chamber between for the reception of steam, etc.; a lantern brass.

Example Sentences

to lantern a lighthouse

the lantern of the cupola of the Capitol at Washington, or that of the Florence cathedral

A youngish looking man came up to him, and aggressive-looking type with a hook mouth, a lantern nose, and small beady little cheekbones.

The station also boasts a large semi-domed French pavilion roof with fish-scale tiles and iron cresting, plus a rectangular hall with arcaded upper storey and wooden lantern.

Word Forms

• lanterns
• lanthorn
• lanterning
• lanterned

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include lamppost, lamp, flashlight, lighting, beacon, electric.

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