GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  1.       

    Lamp , 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}.
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      +PJC
    2. Figuratively, anything which enlightens intellectually or morally; anything regarded metaphorically a performing the uses of a lamp.
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      Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
      Ps. cxix. 105.

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      Ages elapsed ere Homer's lamp appeared.
      Cowper.

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    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.
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      +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. -- Dëbereiner'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 Döbereiner, 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.
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