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discharge lamp

discharge lamp

1 6.7
A lamp that makes light when electricity passes between two metal points inside a gas
  • noun
  • /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒ læmp/
  • Specialized
translation icon : lámpara de descarga
  • The color of the light from a discharge lamp depends on the type of gas inside it.

Examples

  • Many discharge lamps are used in street lighting.

  • The discharge lamp flickered before it went out.

  • Many streetlights use discharge lamps because they are energy efficient and long-lasting.

  • She replaced the old discharge lamp in the laboratory with a newer model for better illumination.

  • High-intensity discharge lamps are often used in street lighting to illuminate large areas efficiently.

  • The scientist explained how a discharge lamp works by creating a bright light when gas between the electrodes is energized.

  • Many theaters favor discharge lamps for their ability to produce vibrant colors and enhance the performance lighting.

Synonyms

arc lamp
vsdischarge lamp
  • Archaic
1 5.3

A lamp that makes very bright light by a steady electric spark between two metal rods

is the general term covering discharges not only the intense arc type
arc light
vsdischarge lamp
  • Archaic
1 8.1

A lamp that makes very bright light when electricity jumps between two metal rods

is the general device type not tied to historical or projector use
fluorescent lamp
vsdischarge lamp
  • Specialized
1 3.6

A long glass tube light used in offices and kitchens that uses electricity and lasts a long time

is the more direct discharge form without the extra coating conversion step
electric-discharge lamp
vsdischarge lamp
  • Specialized
7.0

A lamp that makes light by passing electricity between two metal parts inside a glass tube

is the more general term for that same light process
gas-discharge lamp
vsdischarge lamp
  • Specialized
5.8

A lamp that makes light when electricity passes through gas in a glass tube

is the same concept expressed in shorter form
glow tube
vsdischarge lamp
  • Specialized
7.9

A glass or metal tube filled with gas that makes light when electricity passes through it

is the general name without focusing on tube shape or glow color
gas-discharge tube
vsdischarge lamp
  • Specialized
5.4

A sealed tube where electricity makes the gas inside glow

is restricted to devices for producing light rather than general scientific use
mercury-vapor lamp
vsdischarge lamp
  • Specialized
6.5

A bright electric lamp that makes bluish light often used for streets and large indoor places

is the broader term for any gas discharge, not limited to mercury vapor
sodium-vapor lamp
vsdischarge lamp
  • Specialized
5.4

A light that gives a strong yellow glow often used for street lighting

is the general discharge concept not specific to sodium or color
neon lamp
vsdischarge lamp
  • Specialized
3.7

A small electric light that glows when electricity passes through neon gas

is the broader discharge term not limited to neon or small size
glow lamp
vsdischarge lamp
  • Archaic
6.0

A small electric light that glows when electricity passes through a gas, often used to show a device is on

is the general discharge device used for lighting rather than signaling
neon induction lamp
vsdischarge lamp
  • Specialized
7.8

A neon tube light that uses very fast electric currents around the tube instead of wires

is the usual form where light comes from a discharge between two electrodes

How Bright

arc lamp
  • Archaic
1 5.3
discharge lamp
  • Specialized
1 6.7
neon lamp
  • Specialized
3.7
fluorescent lamp
  • Specialized
1 3.6

Surface Forms

Morphology

discharge + lamp

The meaning 'a lamp that produces light by electric discharge' is directly and compositionally derived from 'discharge' (release/movement of electric charge) + 'lamp' (a source of light); a learner who knows both constituents can infer it denotes a lamp that works by electrical discharge. This noun–noun compounding is a predictable, cross-linguistic technical naming pattern, so the expression is transparent to B1 learners familiar with the component words.

Etymology

Discharge lamp gets its name from a simple picture: inside the lamp, a sudden flow of 'electricity', a discharge, jumps between two parts and makes the gas glow. So the name describes a lamp that makes light by an electric 'discharge' in a gas.