1.
[syn: safety lamp, Davy lamp]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Lamp \Lamp\ (l[a^]mp), n. [F. lampe, L. lampas, -adis, fr. Gr.
?, ?, torch, fr. ? to give light, to shine. Cf. Lampad,
Lantern.]
1. A light-producing vessel, device, instrument or apparatus;
formerly referring especially to 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; now referring
mainly to an electric lamp. See sense [3].
[1913 Webster +PJC]
2. Figuratively, anything which enlightens intellectually or
morally; anything regarded metaphorically a performing the
uses of a lamp.
[1913 Webster]
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my
path. --Ps. cxix.
105.
[1913 Webster]
Ages elapsed ere Homer's lamp appeared. --Cowper.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Elec.) 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.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
4. A device that emits radiant energy in the form of heat,
infrared, or ultraviolet rays; as, a heat lamp.
[PJC]
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 (Elec.), a form of lamp in which the voltaic arc
is used as the source of light.
D["e]bereiner'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 D["o]bereiner, 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 (Zool.), 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.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Davy lamp \Da"vy lamp`\
See Safety lamp, under Lamp.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
Davy lamp
n 1: an oil lamp that will not ignite flammable gases (methane)
[syn: safety lamp, Davy lamp]