See Also: lamp(dictionary)
lamp(2)(dictionary)
lamp(1)(dictionary)
fog lamp(dictionary)
lamp(dictionary)
lamp(medicine)
oil lamp(dictionary)
lava lamp(dictionary)
standard lamp(dictionary)
safety lamp(dictionary)

lamp(1) (iou)



lamp noun. [lamp] ME.
[Old & mod. French lampe from late Latin lampada from accus. of Latin lampas from Greek lampas, lampad- torch, rel. to lampein to shine.]
Orig., a vessel in which oil is burnt at a wick to provide illumination. Now gen., (a device, often consisting of a holder and shade, designed to hold or enclose) a source of artificial illumination, as a candle, a gas-jet, or (usu.) an electric bulb. Also, a device producing infrared, ultraviolet, or other radiation, esp. for therapeutic purposes. ME.
Argand lamp, astral lamp, bicycle lamp, desk lamp, flash-lamp, headlamp, indicator lamp, mercury lamp, standard lamp, table lamp, etc. the lady of the lamp, the lady with the lamp: see LADY noun & adjective. Slave of the Lamp: see SLAVE noun1 1. smell of the lamp: see SMELL verb 8a.
b. A torch. LME.
A celestial object producing or reflecting light, esp. the sun or the moon. poet. LME.
b. In pl. The eyes. Formerly poet., now slang. L16.
A source or centre of spiritual or intellectual light. E16.
Comb.: lampblack noun & verb (a) noun a pigment consisting of finely divided, almost pure carbon, obtained by collecting the soot produced by burning oil or gas; (b) verb trans. paint, smear, or coat with lampblack; lampbrush attrib. adjective (Cytology) (of a chromosome) having numerous paired lateral loops of DNA, which give the whole chromosome the appearance of a bottle-brush; lamp-chimney: see CHIMNEY noun 6; lamp-holder a device for supporting or securing a lamp, esp. an electric one; lamp-house the part of a photographic enlarger or projector which houses the light-source; lamplit adjective lit by a lamp or lamps; lamp oil (a) oil for burning in a lamp; (b) nocturnal study or work; lamppost a tall post supporting a street lamp (between you and me and the lamppost: see BETWEEN preposition); lamp-shell a brachiopod; lamp-socket = lamp-holder above; lamp standard a post or other strong support for a lamp; a lamppost.
lampful adjective (poet.) (of the sky) starry L16.
lampist noun a person skilled or employed in making or maintaining lamps M19.
lampless adjective E17.
lamplet noun a small lamp E17.