dark lantern

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

[edit] English

[edit] Alternative spellings

• dark-lantern

[edit] 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."