lamp

views updated May 17 2018

lamp / lamp/ • n. a device for giving light, either one consisting of an electric bulb together with its holder and shade or cover, or one burning gas or a liquid fuel and consisting of a wick or mantle and a glass shade: a table lamp. ∎ an electrical device producing ultraviolet, infrared, or other radiation, used for therapeutic purposes. ∎ poetic/literary a source of spiritual or intellectual inspiration.DERIVATIVES: lamp·less adj.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

lamp

views updated May 29 2018

lamp Form of artificial lighting. Early lamps burned fuels, such as animal fat, wax, or oil. Coal gas was used from the early 1800s. The electric light became popular in the early 1900s. Most modern lamps are electrically powered and are of three main types: incandescent, discharge, and fluorescent lamps. See also fluorescence; incandescence

World Encyclopedia

lamp

views updated May 23 2018

lamp XII. —(O)F. lampe :- late L. lampada—Gr. lampás, lampad- torch, rel. to lámpein shine. comp. lampblack XVI.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

LAMP

views updated May 21 2018

LAMP (læmp) low-altitude manned penetration
• (USA) Lunar Analysis and Mapping Program

The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH