Lantern

(so called of its shining) occurs only in (John 18:3) (It there probably denotes any kind of covered light, in distinction from a simple taper or common house-light, as well as from a flambeau. Lanterns were much employed by the Romans in military operations. Two, of bronze, have been found among the ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii. They are cylindrical, with translucent horn sides, the lamp within being furnished with an extinguisher. --ED.)

LANTERN

lan'-tern (phanos, phaino, "to give light"): Lanterns were carried by the mob which arrested Jesus in Gethsemane (John 18:3, probably better "torches"). The word "lantern" in the time of early versions had a much wider significance than now. The Romans, however, had lanterns in the times of Christ, made by use of translucent skins, bladders, or thin plates of horn.

1. (n.) 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 enclosure of a street light, or of a lighthouse light.

2. (n.) An open structure of light material set upon a roof, to give light and air to the interior.

3. (n.) A cage or open chamber of rich architecture, open below into the building or tower which it crowns.

4. (n.) A smaller and secondary cupola crowning a larger one, for ornament, or to admit light; such as the lantern of the cupola of the Capitol at Washington, or that of the Florence cathedral.

5. (n.) A lantern pinion or trundle wheel. See Lantern pinion (below).

6. (n.) 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. (n.) A perforated barrel to form a core upon.

8. (n.) See Aristotle's lantern.

9. (v. t.) To furnish with a lantern; as, to lantern a lighthouse.