English

Alternative forms

• dark-lantern

Noun

dark lantern ‎(plural dark lanterns)

1. A lantern with a panel that slides to block the light.
   • 1879: W. S. Gilbert, The Pirates of Penzance

     Your silent matches, your dark lantern seize,
     Take your file and your skeletonic keys.

   • 1891: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, "The Red-Headed League"

     "In the meantime, Mr. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern."

   • 1983, Lawrence Durrell, Sebastian, Faber & Faber 2004 (Avignon Quintet), p. 1022:

     The old monk who was the night-janitor of the monastery now appeared bearing in his hand a dark-lantern and a wattle basket with some fruit and a bowl of rice.