carbon arc lamp
- noun
- /ˈkɑrbən ɑrk læmp/
- Archaic
- The researcher demonstrated how carbon arc lamps can produce intense illumination for industrial use.
Examples
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The museum used carbon arc lamps to highlight the artworks during the evening exhibition.
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The lamp-houses were Peerless Magnarc carbon arc lamps, which had been converted to xenon.
Blog text (8) -
In the old theatre, carbon arc lamps provided a brilliant light that enhanced the dramatic performances.
Synonyms
A lamp that makes very bright light by a steady electric spark between two metal rods
A lamp that makes very bright light when electricity jumps between two metal rods
A light that uses electricity to shine
A lamp that makes light when electricity passes between two metal points inside a gas
A lamp that makes light by passing electricity between two metal parts inside a glass tube
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'carbon' + 'arc' + 'lamp': it denotes a lamp that produces light via an electric arc involving carbon electrodes. This is a literal, technical noun-noun compound using standard composition patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words should be able to infer the meaning.
Etymology
Carbon arc lamp gets its name from a simple picture: two carbon rods with a bright arc of electricity jumping between them inside a lamp, which makes very strong light. So the name means a 'lamp' where a bright arc between carbon rods makes the light.