“lanterns” is a form of
lantern
UK /ˈlæntən/ · US /ˈlæ̝ntɚn/ noun, verb, adjective
Forms lanterns lanterning lanterned lanthorn
- noun A case of translucent or transparent material made to protect a flame, or light, used to illuminate its surroundings.
- noun (theater) Especially, a metal casing with lens used to illuminate a stage (e.g. spotlight, floodlight).
- noun (architecture) An open structure of light material set upon a roof, to give light and air to the interior.
- noun (architecture) A cage or open chamber of rich architecture, open below into the building or tower which it crowns.
- noun (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”
- noun (engineering) A lantern pinion or trundle wheel.
- noun (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.
- noun (rail transport) A light formerly used as a signal by a railway guard or conductor at night.
- verb (transitive) To furnish with a lantern.
- adjective Of a facial feature, large and squarish in shape as an old-fashioned lantern.
Etymology
From 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”).
Webster’s 1913
- noun 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.
- noun (a) An open structure of light material set upon a roof, to give light and air to the interior.
- verb To furnish with a lantern; as, to lantern a lighthouse.
Etymology [F. lanterne, L. lanterna, laterna, from Gr. Lamp.]
Etymology [Cf. F. lanterner to hang at the lamp post, fr. lanterne. See Lantern.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “lantern”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details