arc light
Americannoun
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Also arc lamp a lamp in which the light source is a high-intensity electric arc either between carbon rods in air or between metal electrodes in a xenon gas atmosphere enclosed in a quartz bulb.
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the light produced by such a lamp.
noun
Etymology
Origin of arc light
An Americanism dating back to 1875–80
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A Russian, Paul Jablochkov, invented the arc light in 1876; Thomas Edison the incandescent light in 1879.
From Time Magazine Archive
When the current is switched on, an arc light springs from the filament, takes on a red glow from the neon gas, then a yellow glow from the evaporation of the filament.
From Time Magazine Archive
When hydrogen is squirted through a tungsten arc light, hydrogen molecules explode into hydrogen atoms.
From Time Magazine Archive
The whole scene had a peculiar hue as if illuminated by an arc light.
From Time Magazine Archive
In a garbage can under an arc light I found a clean corrugated paper carton and packed my city clothes.
From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
