1. [n]  an artificial source of visible illumination
2. [n]  a piece of furniture holding one or more electric light bulbs

1. \Lamp\, n.[OE. (with excrescent p), fr. F. lame, L. lamina.
   See {Lamina}.]
   A thin plate or lamina. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
   

2. \Lamp\, n. [F. lampe, L. lampas, -adis, fr. Gr. ?, ?,
   torch, fr. ? to give light, to shine. Cf. {Lampad},
   {Lantern}.]
   1. A light-producing vessel, instrument or apparatus;
      especially, a vessel with a wick used for the combustion
      of oil or other inflammable liquid, for the purpose of
      producing artificial light.
   2. Figuratively, anything which enlightens intellectually or
      morally; anything regarded metaphorically a performing the
      uses of a lamp.
            Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my
            path.                                 --Ps. cxix.
                                                  105.
            Ages elapsed ere Homer's lamp appeared. --Cowper.
   3. (Elec.) A device or mechanism for producing light by
      electricity. See {Incandescent lamp}, under
      {Incandescent}.
   {[AE]olipile lamp}, a hollow ball of copper containing
      alcohol which is converted into vapor by a lamp beneath,
      so as to make a powerful blowpipe flame when the vapor is
      ignited. --Weale.
   {Arc lamp} (Elec.), a form of lamp in which the voltaic arc
      is used as the source of light.
   {D["e]bereiner's lamp}, an apparatus for the instantaneous
      production of a flame by the spontaneous ignition of a jet
      of hydrogen on being led over platinum sponge; -- named
      after the German chemist D["o]bereiner, who invented it.
      Called also {philosopher's lamp}.
   {Flameless lamp}, an aphlogistic lamp.
   {Lamp burner}, the part of a lamp where the wick is exposed
      and ignited. --Knight.
   {Lamp fount}, a reservoir for oil, in a lamp.
   {Lamp jack}. See 2d {Jack}, n., 4
      (l) &
      (n) .
   {Lamp shade}, a screen, as of paper, glass, or tin, for
      softening or obstructing the light of a lamp.
   {Lamp shell} (Zo["o]l.), any brachiopod shell of the genus
      Terebratula and allied genera. The name refers to the
      shape, which is like that of an antique lamp. See
      {Terebratula}.
   {Safety lamp}, a miner's lamp in which the flame is
      surrounded by fine wire gauze, preventing the kindling of
      dangerous explosive gases; -- called also, from Sir
      Humphry Davy the inventor, {Davy lamp}.
   {To smell of the lamp}, to bear marks of great study and
      labor, as a literary composition.
   

(1.) That part of the candle-sticks of the tabernacle and the temple which bore the light (Ex. 25:37; 1 Kings 7:49; 2 Chr. 4:20; 13:11; Zech. 4:2). Their form is not described. Olive oil was generally burned in them (Ex. 27:20).

(2.) A torch carried by the soliders of Gideon (Judg. 7:16, 20). (R.V., "torches.")

(3.) Domestic lamps (A.V., "candles") were in common use among the Hebrews (Matt. 5:15; Mark 4:21, etc.).

(4.) Lamps or torches were used in connection with marriage ceremonies (Matt. 25:1).

This word is also frequently metaphorically used to denote life, welfare, guidance, etc. (2 Sam. 21:17; Ps. 119:105; Prov. 6:23; 13:9).