lantern Meaning, Definition & Usage

F. lanterne, L. lanterna, laterna, from Gr. light, torch. See Lamp.

Something inclosing a light, and protecting it from wind, rain, etc. ; -- sometimes portable, as a closed vessel or case of horn, perforated tin, glass, oiled paper, or other material, having a lamp or candle within; sometimes fixed, as the glazed inclosure of a street light, or of a lighthouse light.
(Arch.) (a) An open structure of light material set upon a roof, to give light and air to the interior. (b) A cage or open chamber of rich architecture, open below into the building or tower which it crowns. (c) A smaller and secondary cupola crowning a larger one, for ornament, or to admit light; such as the lantern of the cupola of the Capitol at Washington, or that of the Florence cathedral.
(Mach.) A lantern pinion or trundle wheel. See Lantern pinion (below).
(Steam Engine) 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. ; -- called also lantern brass.
(Founding) A perforated barrel to form a core upon.
(Zoöl.) See Aristotle's lantern. ✍ Fig. 1 represents a hand lantern; fig. 2, an arm lantern; fig. 3, a breast lantern; -- so named from the positions in which they are carried.

Cf. F. lanterner to hang at the lamp post, fr. lanterne. See Lantern.

imperfect & past participle Lanterned ; present participle & verbal noun Lanterning