mercury-vapor lamp

[ mur-kyuh-ree-vey-per ]

noun

, Electricity.

1. a lamp producing a light with a high actinic and ultraviolet content by means of an electric arc in mercury vapor.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mercury-vapor lamp¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Among her favorite pieces are those derived from medical quackery, such as a mercury vapor lamp that could purportedly give you a tan, cure baldness and clear up diaper rash.

From Seattle Times

Mr. Gowin made a cardboard cutout of his wife, Edith, to shield his eyes from the mercury vapor lamp and black light he used to attract the moths to a white sheet.

From New York Times

Artifacts of bygone technology abound, including a mercury vapor lamp, taken from the necklace of bulbs that used to adorn the Triborough Bridge until they were swapped out for LED fixtures.

From New York Times

Patrick Carney, 16, recently spent all of his birthday money to buy a mercury vapor lamp.

From New York Times

One of the first moths to alight on a sheet illuminated by a mercury vapor lamp was a spotted Datana.

From New York Times