Lamp shell

Lamp shell
Lamp Lamp (l[a^]mp), n. [F. lampe, L. lampas, -adis, fr. Gr. ?, ?, torch, fr. ? to give light, to shine. Cf. {Lampad}, {Lantern}.] 1. A light-producing vessel, device, instrument or apparatus; formerly referring especially to a vessel with a wick used for the combustion of oil or other inflammable liquid, for the purpose of producing artificial light; also, a similar device using a gas as the combustible fuel; now referring mainly to an electric lamp. See sense [3]. [1913 Webster +PJC]

2. Figuratively, anything which enlightens intellectually or morally; anything regarded metaphorically a performing the uses of a lamp. [1913 Webster]

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. --Ps. cxix. 105. [1913 Webster]

Ages elapsed ere Homer's lamp appeared. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]

3. (Elec.) A device or mechanism for producing light by electricity, usually having a glass bulb or tube containing the light-emitting element. Most lamps belong to one of two categories, the {Incandescent lamp} (See under {Incandescent}) or the {fluorescent lamp}. However, see also {arc lamp}, below. [1913 Webster +PJC]

4. A device that emits radiant energy in the form of heat, infrared, or ultraviolet rays; as, a heat lamp. [PJC]

{[AE]olipile lamp}, a hollow ball of copper containing alcohol which is converted into vapor by a lamp beneath, so as to make a powerful blowpipe flame when the vapor is ignited. --Weale.

{Arc lamp} (Elec.), a form of lamp in which the voltaic arc is used as the source of light.

{D["e]bereiner's lamp}, an apparatus for the instantaneous production of a flame by the spontaneous ignition of a jet of hydrogen on being led over platinum sponge; -- named after the German chemist D["o]bereiner, who invented it. Called also {philosopher's lamp}.

{Flameless lamp}, an aphlogistic lamp.

{Lamp burner}, the part of a lamp where the wick is exposed and ignited. --Knight.

{Lamp fount}, a reservoir for oil, in a lamp.

{Lamp jack}. See 2d {Jack}, n., 4 (l) & (n) .

{Lamp shade}, a screen, as of paper, glass, or tin, for softening or obstructing the light of a lamp.

{Lamp shell} (Zo["o]l.), any brachiopod shell of the genus {Terebratula} and allied genera. The name refers to the shape, which is like that of an antique lamp. See {Terebratula}.

{Safety lamp}, a miner's lamp in which the flame is surrounded by fine wire gauze, preventing the kindling of dangerous explosive gases; -- called also, from Sir Humphry Davy the inventor, {Davy lamp}.

{To smell of the lamp}, to bear marks of great study and labor, as a literary composition. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • lamp shell — lamp′ shell or lamp′shell n. ivt brachiopod • Etymology: 1850–55; so called because its shape was thought to resemble that of an ancient oil lamp …   From formal English to slang

  • lamp-shell — lampˈ shell noun A brachiopod, esp Terebratula or a similar genus, from its shell shaped like an antique lamp • • • Main Entry: ↑lamp …   Useful english dictionary

  • lamp shell — n. [from its resemblance to an ancient Roman oil lamp] any of various brachiopods …   English World dictionary

  • lamp shell — noun marine animal with bivalve shell having a pair of arms bearing tentacles for capturing food; found worldwide • Syn: ↑brachiopod, ↑lampshell • Hypernyms: ↑invertebrate • Member Holonyms: ↑Brachiopoda, ↑phylum Brachiopoda …   Useful english dictionary

  • lamp shell — lampshell lampshell, lamp shell lamp shell . A mollusklike marine animal with bivalve shell having a pair of arms bearing tentacles for capturing food, found worldwide. Syn: brachiopod. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lamp shell — Terebratula Ter e*brat u*la, n.; pl. {Terebratul[ae]}. [Nl., dim. fr. terebratus, p. p., perforated.] (Zo[ o]l.) A genus of brachiopods which includes many living and some fossil species. The larger valve has a perforated beak, through which… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lamp shell — a mollusklike marine animal; brachiopod. Also, lampshell. [1850 55; so called because its shape was thought to resemble that of an ancient Roman oil lamp] * * * …   Universalium

  • lamp shell — noun a marine invertebrate resembling a bivalve mollusc, with arms of ciliated tentacles used for filter feeding. [Phylum Brachiopoda.] Origin C19: from its resemblance to an ancient oil lamp …   English new terms dictionary

  • lamp-shell — /ˈlæmp ʃɛl/ (say lamp shel) noun → brachiopod …  

  • Lamp — (l[a^]mp), n. [F. lampe, L. lampas, adis, fr. Gr. ?, ?, torch, fr. ? to give light, to shine. Cf. {Lampad}, {Lantern}.] 1. A light producing vessel, device, instrument or apparatus; formerly referring especially to a vessel with a wick used for… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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