lamp1
/lamp
/noun
1A device for giving light, either one consisting of an electric bulb together with its holder and shade or cover, or one burning gas or oil and consisting of a wick or mantle and a glass shade: a table lamp...
- He cooks by heating pans over a coal fire, while dozens of candles and a paraffin lamp provide him with light.
- Now they were in a small corridor, dimly lit by burning lamps.
- As it gets dark, behind the windows partly blocked by sandbags, they light a paraffin lamp.
1.1An electrical device producing ultraviolet, infrared, or other radiation, used for therapeutic purposes.Heat treatment, using an infra-red lamp is an option....
- Light therapy, with ultraviolet A or B, is available at specialist hospital clinics or with lamps that can be used at home.
- Haircolor experts will often use moist heat or infra-red lamps to speed up the bleaching process and minimize the potential bleach damage.
1.2 literary A source of spiritual or intellectual inspiration: he set out to rescue the lamp of American literature from the cave of the Philistines...
- The poet lights a lamp to the source of all light.
- Whoever despaired of the world, he, at least, kept the lamp of hope burning brightly in his soul.
- The lamp of experience ordinarily guides our footsteps, but this year the lamp is dim.
verb
1 [with object] Supply with lamps; illuminate: inspectors can lamp the lines between the manholes for routine maintenance observations...
- Lampstore.com is the world's easiest way to lamp your home.
1.1 [no object] literary Shine: an evil fire out of their eyes came lamping
2 [no object] (often as noun lamping) Hunt at night using lamps, especially for rabbits: my best dog was in his prime and I was lamping every chance I got...
- He was left brain damaged after being accidentally hit by the pellet from an air rifle fired by a friend while they were out lamping.
- Kent has more dogs stolen for rewards, breeding, coursing and lamping, illegal night hunting with high powered torches, than anywhere else in the country.
- Hedgehogs are caught by night lamping and using traps.
Derivatives
lamper
- A second schoolboy lay fighting for his life last night after apparently being shot by ‘lampers’.
- Detectives investigating the shooting of a Yorkshire schoolboy aged 12 in an area popular with night-time hunters known as ‘lampers’ have arrested and bailed four men.
- Police are working on the theory the boy was accidentally shot by ‘lampers’ - night-time hunters who pursue animals with guns and bright lights.
lampless
- After the meal, the boys slug back a last tin of water and scatter into the warm, lampless dark.
- Later, I found myself, down at 30m in the gloom, navigating by means of a small back-up torch, and dragging around a very frightened, lampless buddy, who would not ease his tight grip on my arm.
- Lampless, they climbed a ladder into the dusty hay-rick, and nestled in a corner under the eaves.
Origin
Middle English: via Old French from late Latin lampada, from Latin lampas, lampad- 'torch', from Greek.
Rhymes
lamp2
/lamp/verb [with object] chiefly Northern English
Hit or beat (someone): he was plastered all over the tabloids for lamping his ex-wife’s boyfriend...
- Normally that guy would have been lamped, but while it is easy to joke, it's not nice for Aberdeen.
- Charlotte's apparently lamped her ex for selling her sex secrets.
- So I picked up the Sunday Tribune TV guide and lamped him with it.
Origin
Early 19th century: of uncertain origin; perhaps related to lam1.