Davy lamp

American  

noun

1. a safety lamp formerly used by miners.

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Davy lamp British  

noun

1. See safety lamp

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Etymology

Origin of Davy lamp

First recorded in 1810–20; named after Sir H. Davy

Example Sentences

John DaviesKirkby in Cleveland, North Yorkshire • The container of the Olympic flame flown into the UK is actually a Davy lamp, invented by Sir Humphry Davy 200 years ago to prevent explosions in coalmines.

From The Guardian • May 23, 2012

A height of 1,500 feet was read by the Davy lamp, and then we entered fog—warm, wetting fog, through which the balloon would make no progress in spite of a prodigal discharge of sand.

From The Dominion of the Air; the story of aerial navigation by Bacon, John Mackenzie

The Davy lamp was hung up before him, and the big corve was by his side.

From Taking Tales Instructive and Entertaining Reading by Kingston, William Henry Giles

For these reasons the metallic gauze of the Davy lamp is not so efficient a protector of the flame as it is in cases of coal-gas, methane, &c.

From Acetylene, the Principles of Its Generation and Use A Practical Handbook on the Production, Purification, and Subsequent Treatment of Acetylene for the Development of Light, Heat, and Power by Leeds, F. H. (Frank Henley)

Recently, M. Eugene Godard has obviated a portion of this difficulty by fitting a chimney, like that which is found of such incalculable service in the case of the Davy lamp.

From Wonderful Balloon Ascents by Marion, F. (Fulgence)