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

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Dictionary Entries Near carbide lamp

carbide

carbide lamp

carbidopa

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Carbide lamp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbide%20lamp. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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