Lantern

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈlæn.tÉ™n/
• US IPA: /ˈlæn.tÉšn/

Origin

Middle English (13th century), via Old French lanterne from Latin lanterna ("lantern"), itself a corruption of Ancient Greek λαμπτήρ ("torch") (see lamp, λάμπω) by influence of Latin lucerna ("lamp"). The spelling lanthorn was current during the 16th to 19th centuries and originates with a folk etymology associating the word with the use of horn as translucent cover. For the verb, compare French lanterner to hang at the lamp-post.

Alternative forms

• archaic lanthorn

Full definition of lantern

Noun

1. A case of translucent or transparent material made to protect a flame, or light, used to illuminate its surroundings.
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.the lantern of the cupola of the Capitol at Washington, or that of the Florence cathedral
5. (engineering) A lantern pinion or trundle wheel.
6. (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.
7. (metalworking) A perforated barrel to form a core upon.
8. (zoology) Aristotle's lantern

Verb

1. (transitive) To furnish with a lantern.to lantern a lighthouse