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jack-o'-lantern

(jakə lant′ərn)

noun pl. jack-o'-lanterns

  1. a shifting, elusive light seen over marshes at night; will-o'-the-wisp
  2. a hollow pumpkin cut to look like a face and usually illuminated inside as by a candle, used as a decoration at Halloween

See jack-o'-lantern in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. jack-o'-lanterns jack-o'-lanterns
  1. A lantern made from a hollowed pumpkin with a carved face, usually displayed on Halloween.
  2. See ignis fatuus.

Origin:

Origin: From earlier Jack-with-a-lantern, man with a lantern, will-o'-the-wisp

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