dark lantern

American  

noun

1. a lantern having an opening with a shutter that can be slid across the opening to obscure the light.

---

dark lantern British  

noun

1. a lantern having a sliding shutter or panel to dim or hide the light

---

Etymology

Origin of dark lantern

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dark lantern

He flayed the Administration for what he called its "dark lantern diplomacy."

From Time Magazine Archive

He then lit a dark lantern and pointed to the coffin.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

A dark lantern was uncovered, and its light fell on the astonished face of the farmer.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

In the first place the men possessed no dark lantern, so that they carried naked candles flaring in their hands as they crawled through the restricted spaces between the cargo and the deck overhead.

From The Log of a Sea-Waif Being Recollections of the First Four Years of My Sea Life by Frank T. Bullen

Upon my opening the door, the officer on duty entered with a dark lantern in his hand, and, looking round the room, said, “Mr Holms, you have been keeping up lights!”

From The Gentleman Cadet His Career and Adventures at the Royal Military Academy Woolwich by A.W. Drayson