To smell of the lamp

To smell of the lamp
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]

{[AE]olipile 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} (Zo["o]l.), 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]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • smell of the lamp — I. phrasal : to bear marks of study and labor rather than of genius or inspiration : seem artificial to them a discussion of sovereignty in the abstract would have smelt of the lamp C.A.Beard usually used of a literary composition II. phrasal :… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Children of the Lamp — is a series of fantasy novels for senior children as well as adolescents and adults written by the British author P.B. Kerr. It tells the story of twin djinn, John and Philippa Gaunt, and their challenges with adapting to the world of djinn. The… …   Wikipedia

  • 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 Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lamp burner — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lamp fount — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lamp jack — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lamp shade — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lamp shell — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lamp — (n.) c.1200, from O.Fr. lampe lamp, lights (12c.), from L. lampas a light, torch, flambeau, from Gk. lampas torch, lamp, beacon, meteor, light, from lampein to shine, from nasalized form of PIE root *lap to shine (Cf. Lith. lope light, O.Ir.… …   Etymology dictionary

  • lamp — lampless, adj. /lamp/, n. 1. any of various devices furnishing artificial light, as by electricity or gas. Cf. fluorescent lamp, incandescent lamp. 2. a container for an inflammable liquid, as oil, which is burned at a wick as a means of… …   Universalium

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