aladdin's lamp
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Definition
Noun: 1. A magical lamp from which Aladdin summoned a genie: In the story from One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights), this is a magical artifact that, when rubbed, summons a powerful genie (or jinni) who must grant the wishes of the person who possesses the lamp. 2. A metaphor for a source of miraculous or unlimited fulfillment of desires: Used figuratively to describe any object, situation, or resource that seems to grant one's wishes or solve problems effortlessly.
Usage Examples
Literal (from the story):
- In the tale, Aladdin rubbed the Aladdin's lamp and a genie appeared to grant his wishes.
- The story of Aladdin's lamp is one of the most famous from the Arabian Nights.
Figurative/Metaphorical:
- Winning the lottery felt like finding Aladdin's lamp for the struggling family.
- He acts as if his new computer is an Aladdin's lamp, expecting it to solve all his problems instantly.
Advanced Usage
- "like Aladdin's lamp": Used as a simile to compare something to the magical lamp, emphasizing its seemingly miraculous power to fulfill wishes.
- The new technology was hailed like Aladdin's lamp, promising to revolutionize the industry.
- Concept of the "genie in the lamp": Often referenced alongside the lamp to discuss the source of the magical power or the consequences of unleashed power.
- Releasing that information was like letting the genie out of Aladdin's lamp; we can't control what happens now.
Variants and Related Words
- Genie (n): The magical spirit summoned by Aladdin's lamp. Often used independently in phrases like "genie in a bottle."
- Magic lamp (n phrase): A more generic term for a lamp with magical properties, though it strongly evokes Aladdin's lamp.
- Wish-granting (adj): Describing something that fulfills wishes, e.g., a .
Synonyms
- Cornucopia: A symbol of abundance and nourishment (shares the concept of endless provision, but not magical).
- Golden goose: A source of endless wealth or good fortune (from a different fable).
- Panacea: A solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases (emphasizes solving problems, not granting wishes).
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "A magic bullet": A simple solution to a complex problem. (Similar in concept to a quick, all-solving remedy, but not necessarily granting wishes.)
- There is no Aladdin's lamp or magic bullet for climate change; it requires complex solutions.
- "Rub the lamp": Figuratively, to take the action needed to activate a powerful resource or solution.
- If we want to innovate, we need to rub the lamp—that means investing in research.
Noun
- (Arabian Nights) a magical lamp from which Aladdin summoned a genie