noun

lantern

lantern, lamp

We hung paper lanterns for the party.

We hung paper lanterns for the party.

He carried an old oil lantern.

He carried an old oil lantern.

((a/the/possessive)) lantern a lamp with a transparent case protecting the flame or bulb We hung paper lanterns for the party.

Synonyms: lamp, light, torch

From Old French 'lanterne', from Latin 'lanterna', from Greek 'lamptēr' (torch), from 'lampein' (to shine).

Think of it as a portable 'lamp'. The 'tern' part doesn't have a clear meaning, but the 'lan' is like 'lamp'.

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