/lan"teuhrn/ , n.
1. a transparent or translucent, usually portable, case for enclosing a light and protecting it from the wind, rain, etc.
2. the chamber at the top of a lighthouse, surrounding the light.
3. See magic lantern .
4. Archit.
a. a tall, more or less open construction admitting light to an enclosed area below.
b. any light, decorative structure of relatively small size crowning a roof, dome, etc.
c. an open-sided structure on a roof to let out smoke or to assist ventilation.
5. a light, usually over the entrance to an elevator on each floor of a multistory building, that signals the approach of the elevator.
[ 1250-1300; ME lanterne lanterna ( lamptér lamp, light ]