lantern

Definitions

• A case of translucent or transparent material made to protect a flame, or light, used to illuminate its surroundings.
• (theatre) Especially, a metal casing with lens used to illuminate a stage (e.g. spotlight, floodlight).
• (architecture) An open structure of light material set upon a roof, to give light and air to the interior.
• (architecture) A cage or open chamber of rich architecture, open below into the building or tower which it crowns.
• (architecture) A smaller and secondary cupola crowning a larger one, for ornament, or to admit light.
• (engineering) A lantern pinion or trundle wheel.
• (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.
• (rail transport) A light formerly used as a signal by a railway guard or conductor at night.
• (metalworking) A perforated barrel to form a core upon.
• (zoology) Aristotle's lantern