carbide lamp

noun

: a lamp that produces light by the combustion of acetylene gas created by the measured combination of water and calcium carbide
The major disadvantage of a carbide lamp is that it blows out quite easily in windy passages and is next to useless when climbing in a waterfall.David R. McClurg, The Amateur's Guide To Caves & Caving, 1973

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carbide lamp was in 1898

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near carbide lamp

Cite this Entry

“Carbide lamp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbide%20lamp. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!