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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Lantern

Lān'tern, n.

noun

n. [Fr. lanterne, Pr., O. Sp., Pg., & It. lanterna, N. Sp. linterna, Lat. lanterna, laterna, Ger. laterne, D. lantaarn, lantaren.]

  1. Something inclosing a light, and protecting it from wind, rain, &c.;—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 light-house light.
  2. (Arch.) A little dome raised over the roof of a building to give light, and to serve as a crowning to the fabric.
  3. A square cage of carpentry placed over the ridge of a corridor or gallery, between two rows of shops, to illuminate them.
  4. (Mach.) A kind of pinion; a lantern-pinion or lantern-wheel. See LANTERN-PINION.
The picture depicts a lantern associated with carrying it by hand, arm, or breast.
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.
An antique lantern with a looped handle and a glass body.
Fig. 3.

Lān’tern, v. t.

verbtransitive

[imp. & p. p. LANTERNED; p. pr. & vb. n. LANTERNING.] [Fr. lanterner, from lanterne. See supra.]

  1. To furnish with a lantern; as, to lantern a light-house.
  2. To put to death at or on the lamp-post.