lantern — English Dictionary

Noun

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

2. Especially, a metal casing with lens used to illuminate a stage (e.g. spotlight, floodlight).

3. An open structure of light material set upon a roof, to give light and air to the interior.

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   On such an afternoon, if ever, the Lord High Chancellor ought to be sitting here—as here he is—with a foggy glory round his head, softly fenced in with crimson cloth and curtains, addressed by a large advocate with great whiskers, a little voice, and an interminable brief, and outwardly directing his contemplation to the lantern in the roof, where he can see nothing but fog.

   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.

4. A cage or open chamber of rich architecture, open below into the building or tower which it crowns.

5. A smaller and secondary cupola crowning a larger one, for ornament, or to admit light.

   Examples

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

6. A lantern pinion or trundle wheel.

7. 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.

8. A light formerly used as a signal by a railway guard or conductor at night.

9. A perforated barrel to form a core upon.

10. Aristotle's lantern

Verb

1. To furnish with a lantern.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   to lantern a lighthouse

Adjective

1. Of a facial feature, large and squarish in shape as an old-fashioned lantern.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Related words

   lamptorch

   Examples

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

Noun

1. light in a transparent protective case

   Broader terms

   lamp