Lamp
Lamp (lamp) , noun
[Old English (with excrescent p), from French lame, Latin lamina. See Lamina.]
A thin plate or lamina. [Obsolete] — Chaucer
Lamp (lamp) , noun
[French lampe, Latin lampas, -adis, from Greek {not transcribed}, {not transcribed}, torch, from {not transcribed} to give light, to shine. Compare Lampad, Lantern.]
1.
A light-producing vessel, device, instrument or apparatus;
a vessel with a wick used for the combustion of oil or other inflammable liquid, for the purpose of producing artificial light; also, a similar device using a gas as the combustible fuel;
an electric lamp. See sense {3}.
2.
Figuratively, anything which enlightens intellectually or morally; anything regarded metaphorically a performing the uses of a lamp.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Ages elapsed ere Homer's lamp appeared.
3.
(Electricity) A device or mechanism for producing light by electricity, usually having a glass bulb or tube containing the light-emitting element. Most lamps belong to one of two categories, the Incandescent lamp (See under Incandescent) or the fluorescent lamp. However, see also arc lamp, below.
4.
A device that emits radiant energy in the form of heat, infrared, or ultraviolet rays; as, a heat lamp.
Collocations (11)
Aeolipile lamp , a hollow ball of copper containing alcohol which is converted into vapor by a lamp beneath, so as to make a powerful blowpipe flame when the vapor is ignited. — Weale
Arc lamp (Electricity) , a form of lamp in which the voltaic arc is used as the source of light.
Debereiner's lamp , an apparatus for the instantaneous production of a flame by the spontaneous ignition of a jet of hydrogen on being led over platinum sponge; -- named after the German chemist Dobereiner, who invented it. Called also philosopher's lamp.
Flameless lamp , an aphlogistic lamp.
Lamp burner , the part of a lamp where the wick is exposed and ignited. — Knight
Lamp fount , a reservoir for oil, in a lamp.
Lamp jack , See 2d Jack, n., 4 (l) & (n).
Lamp shade , a screen, as of paper, glass, or tin, for softening or obstructing the light of a lamp.
Lamp shell (Zoology) , any brachiopod shell of the genus Terebratula and allied genera. The name refers to the shape, which is like that of an antique lamp. See Terebratula.
Safety lamp , a miner's lamp in which the flame is surrounded by fine wire gauze, preventing the kindling of dangerous explosive gases; -- called also, from Sir Humphry Davy the inventor, Davy lamp.
To smell of the lamp , to bear marks of great study and labor, as a literary composition.