LAMP (2)

Lamp (?), n. [[F. lampe, L. lampas, -adis, fr. Gr. � , �, torch, fr. � to give light, to shine. Cf. Lampad, Lantern.]] 1. 1. A light-producing vessel, instrument or apparatus; especially, a vessel with a wick used for the combustion of oil or other inflammable liquid, for the purpose of producing artificial light.
2. 2. Figuratively, anything which enlightens intellectually or morally; anything regarded metaphorically a performing the uses of a lamp.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Ps. cxix. 105. Ages elapsed ere Homer's lamp appeared. Cowper. 3. 3. (Elec.) A device or mechanism for producing light by electricity. See Incandescent lamp, under Incandescent.
Æolipile 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. — Dëbereiner'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 Döbereiner, 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 (Zoöl.), 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.