magic lantern

American  

noun

1. a device having an enclosed lamp and a lenslike opening, formerly used for projecting and magnifying images mounted on slides or films.

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magic lantern British  

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: lantern.  an early type of slide projector

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Etymology

Origin of magic lantern

First recorded in 1690–1700

Example Sentences

It sprinkles the open parts of the interior with sunlight during the day and glows like a magic lantern at night.

From Slate • Nov. 22, 2017

It’s a magic lantern slide that was shown to patients, like a sort of early Rorschach inkblot.

From Washington Post • Mar. 27, 2017

On the magic lantern of his ancient Moviola screen, Andy Warhol sprang to life once more – brick-red polo-neck, slacks, wig.

From The Guardian • Aug. 14, 2015

And Rodgers and Hammerstein insist, “Everything’s up to date in Kansas City” and “it’s better than a magic lantern show.”

From New York Times • Oct. 18, 2014

A magic lantern across the street threw the figures on the sheet.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith