lanthorn

English

Etymology

Spelling influenced by the fact that they were sometimes made from animal horns.

Noun

lanthorn (plural lanthorns)

1. Archaic form of lantern.
   • 1631, Francis [Bacon], “New Atlantis. A Worke Vnfinished.”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], 3rd edition, London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC, page 19:

     Yee ſhall vnderſtand, (my deare Friends,) that amongſt the Excellent Acts of that King, one aboue all hath the preheminence. It was the Erection, and Inſtitution of an Order, or Society, which wee call Salomons Houſe; The Nobleſt Foundation, (as wee thinke,) that euer was vpon the Earth; And the Lanthorne of this Kingdome.

   • 1764 January 20, T[obias] Smollett, “Letter XIV”, in Travels through France and Italy. […], volume I, London: […] R[oberts] Baldwin, […], published 1766, →OCLC, pages 234–235:

     On the right hand, as you enter the port, there is an elegant fanal, or light-houſe, kept in good repair: but in all the charts of this coaſt which I have ſeen, this lanthorn is laid down to the weſtward of the harbour; […]

   • 1944 September and October, Charles E. Lee, “An Ancient Underground Railway”, in Railway Magazine, page 275, text from early 19th century:

     Having previously obtained permission of a viewer, or some other person concerned in the colliery, a small hand lanthorn must be provided, a light being necessary for each person. It is also advisable to take a change of dress, at least of upper cloaths; strong boots to keep the feet dry, and an old hat.

   • 1946, Mervyn Peake, Titus Groan, London: Eyre & Spottiswoode, →OCLC:

     Have my room prepared and the lanthorn on my bedside table.

Derived terms

• dark lanthorn
• lanthorn-fly