1. (n.)lantern a transparent or translucent, usu. portable, case for enclosing a light and protecting it from the wind, rain, etc.
2. lantern the chamber at the top of a lighthouse, surrounding the light.
3. lantern a structure with open or windowed sides on top of a roof or dome, admitting light or air to the enclosed area below.
4. lantern any light, decorative structure of relatively smallsize crowning a roof, dome, etc.
Etymology: (1250–1300; ME lanterne < L lanterna (< Etruscan) < Gk lamptēr lamp, light)
Definition of 'Lantern'
Princeton's WordNet
1. (noun)lantern light in a transparent protective case
Definition of 'Lantern'
Webster Dictionary
1. (noun)Lantern something inclosing a light, and protecting it from wind, rain, etc. ; -- 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 lighthouse light
2. (noun)Lantern an open structure of light material set upon a roof, to give light and air to the interior
3. (noun)Lantern a cage or open chamber of rich architecture, open below into the building or tower which it crowns
5. (noun)Lantern a lantern pinion or trundle wheel. See Lantern pinion (below)
6. (noun)Lantern 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. ; -- called also lantern brass
7. (noun)Lantern a perforated barrel to form a core upon