dark lantern

noun

1. a lantern having an opening with a shutter that can be slid across the opening to obscure the light.

dark lantern

noun

1. a lantern having a sliding shutter or panel to dim or hide the light

Word History and Origins

Origin of dark lantern¹

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

The reek of hot tin from the dark lantern grew worse momentarily.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a dark lantern, flashing light before it, itself all in shadow.

From Project Gutenberg

Hank had a dark lantern—all of Denny's belongings he'd left with us—and he flashed it on the chap by the car.

From Project Gutenberg

Peering through the keyhole, he saw a man with a dark lantern putting the family plate into a bag.

From Project Gutenberg

Then the slide of a dark lantern was opened by some one, and in the big strong patch of light it threw we saw Shadow.

From Project Gutenberg