lantern

Etymology

Middle English lanterne (13th century), via Old French lanterne from Latin lanterna (“lantern”), itself a corruption of Ancient Greek λαμπτήρ (lamptḗr, “torch”) (see lamp, λάμπω (lámpō)) 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 lamppost. Displaced native Old English lēohtfæt (literally “light-container”).

noun

1. A case of translucent or transparent material made to protect a flame, or light, used to illuminate its surroundings.
2. (theater) Especially, a metal casing with lens used to illuminate a stage (e.g. spotlight, floodlight).
3. (architecture) An open structure of light material set upon a roof, to give light and air to the interior.
   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. January 12 2022, Paul Bigland, “Fab Four: the nation's finest stations: Eastbourne”, in RAIL, number 948, page 27
4. (architecture) A cage or open chamber of rich architecture, open below into the building or tower which it crowns.
5. (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
6. (engineering) A lantern pinion or trundle wheel.
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.
8. (rail transport) A light formerly used as a signal by a railway guard or conductor at night.
9. (metalworking) A perforated barrel to form a core upon.
10. (zoology) Aristotle's lantern

verb

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

adj

1. Of a facial feature, large and squarish in shape as an old-fashioned lantern.
   A youngish looking man came up to him, and aggressive-looking type with a hook mouth, a lantern nose, and small beady little cheekbones. 1982, Douglas Adams, Life, the Universe and Everything, page 113