burning glass

American  

noun

1. a converging lens used to produce heat or ignite substances by focusing the sun's rays.

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burning glass British  

noun

1. a convex lens for concentrating the sun's rays into a small area to produce heat or fire

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Etymology

Origin of burning glass

First recorded in 1560–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

burning glass

He and I know to move around them by sheer memory; the burning glass promises to singe the skin if touched.

From The Guardian ● Apr. 17, 2018

Priestley did not know what he had made when he heated red oxide of mercury with a burning glass and collected the atmosphere caused by the process.

From Time Magazine Archive

The film begins with a helicoptic view, swooping over the dome of St. Peter's, then briefly darts away to Greece to catch the sun's rays igniting the traditional torch through a burning glass at Olympia.

From Time Magazine Archive

Secondly, was his 'into battle' period, when his superb rhetoric and unflinching courage focused like a burning glass the latent will to win of heroic, freedom-loving men the world over, when all seemed lost.

From Time Magazine Archive

One winter's day, when it snowed, he brought out a burning glass, then, holding out the skirt of his blue coat, let the snowflakes fall upon it.

From Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales First Series by Andersen, H. C. (Hans Christian)