lanthorn
- noun
- Archaic
- He carried a lanthorn to light his way through the dark forest.
Examples
-
The lanthorn flickered as the wind tried to extinguish the flame inside.
-
During the festival, people hung lanthorns around the garden to create a warm glow.
-
The man should be put into the lanthorn.
Synonyms
A small portable light with a clear cover that you can carry or hang
A small lantern with a sliding cover to hide its light
A small light you hold that uses batteries
A portable oil lamp with a glass cover that protects the flame from wind and rain
A lantern with a sliding cover that hides its light
A small paper lantern with a candle that lights paths at night
A paper lantern hung as a decoration at festivals and parties
How Bright
Surface Forms
Etymology
Lanthorn as a portable light is an old spelling of lantern, and people once used animal 'horn' for the clear sides that kept the flame safe, so the name mixes 'lantern' and horn. That's why a lanthorn means a small, protected light you can carry or set down.