From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Lamp \Lamp\ (l[a^]mp), n. [F. lampe, L. lampas, -adis, fr. Gr.
?, ?, torch, fr. ? to give light, to shine. Cf. {Lampad},
{Lantern}.]
1. A light-producing vessel, device, instrument or apparatus;
formerly referring especially to a vessel with a wick used
for the combustion of oil or other inflammable liquid, for
the purpose of producing artificial light; also, a similar
device using a gas as the combustible fuel; now referring
mainly to an electric lamp. See sense [3].
[1913 Webster +PJC]
2. Figuratively, anything which enlightens intellectually or
morally; anything regarded metaphorically a performing the
uses of a lamp.
[1913 Webster]
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my
path. --Ps. cxix.
105.
[1913 Webster]
Ages elapsed ere Homer's lamp appeared. --Cowper.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Elec.) A device or mechanism for producing light by
electricity, usually having a glass bulb or tube
containing the light-emitting element. Most lamps belong
to one of two categories, the {Incandescent lamp} (See
under {Incandescent}) or the {fluorescent lamp}. However,
see also {arc lamp}, below.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
4. A device that emits radiant energy in the form of heat,
infrared, or ultraviolet rays; as, a heat lamp.
[PJC]
{Aeolipile lamp}, a hollow ball of copper containing alcohol
which is converted into vapor by a lamp beneath, so as to
make a powerful blowpipe flame when the vapor is ignited.
--Weale.
{Arc lamp} (Elec.), a form of lamp in which the voltaic arc
is used as the source of light.
{D["e]bereiner's lamp}, an apparatus for the instantaneous
production of a flame by the spontaneous ignition of a jet
of hydrogen on being led over platinum sponge; -- named
after the German chemist D["o]bereiner, who invented it.
Called also {philosopher's lamp}.
{Flameless lamp}, an aphlogistic lamp.
{Lamp burner}, the part of a lamp where the wick is exposed
and ignited. --Knight.
{Lamp fount}, a reservoir for oil, in a lamp.
{Lamp jack}. See 2d {Jack}, n., 4
(l) &
(n) .
{Lamp shade}, a screen, as of paper, glass, or tin, for
softening or obstructing the light of a lamp.
{Lamp shell} (Zool.), any brachiopod shell of the genus
{Terebratula} and allied genera. The name refers to the
shape, which is like that of an antique lamp. See
{Terebratula}.
{Safety lamp}, a miner's lamp in which the flame is
surrounded by fine wire gauze, preventing the kindling of
dangerous explosive gases; -- called also, from Sir
Humphry Davy the inventor, {Davy lamp}.
{To smell of the lamp}, to bear marks of great study and
labor, as a literary composition.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
fluorescent lamp
n 1: lamp consisting of a tube coated on the inside with a
fluorescent material; mercury vapor in the tube emits
ultraviolet radiation that is converted to visible
radiation by the fluorescent material
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