Lantern Definition

lăntərn

lanterns

noun

A transparent or translucent case for holding a light and protecting it from wind and weather: it usually has a handle on its framework so that it can be carried.

Webster's New World

A decorative casing for a light, often of paper.

American Heritage

The room containing the lamp at the top of a lighthouse.

Webster's New World

A light and its protective or decorative case.

American Heritage

Magic lantern.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
torch
lighting device
lamp

verb

To furnish with a lantern.

To lantern a lighthouse.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Lantern

Noun

Singular:

lantern

Plural:

lanterns

Origin of Lantern

Middle English (13th century), via Old French lanterne from Latin lanterna (“lantern"), itself a corruption of Ancient Greek λαμπτήρ (lamptÄ“r, “torch") (see lamp, λάμπω) by influence of Latin lucerna (“lamp"). The spelling lanthorn was current during the 16th to 19th centuries and originates with a folk etymology associating the word with the use of horn as translucent cover. For the verb, compare French lanterner to hang at the lamp-post.

From Wiktionary
Middle English from Old French lanterne from Latin lanterna from Greek lamptēr from lampein to shine

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition