lamp wick

A lamp wick draws oil up to the flame.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A "lamp wick" is the cord or strip of material in a lamp that draws up fuel (such as oil or kerosene) by capillary action and, when lit, produces a flame to provide light. It is the part of the lamp that burns.

Usage Examples

• (The cord that draws fuel was insufficient in length.)
• (She cut the wick to the correct length for optimal burning.)

Advanced Usage

• "to trim the lamp wick": to cut or adjust the wick of a lamp to improve combustion and reduce soot.
  • Before lighting the kerosene lamp, it is necessary to trim the lamp wick. (Adjust the wick to the proper length.)

Variants and Related Words

• Wick (n): the cord or strand in a candle or lamp that draws up fuel to be burned.

  • The candle wick was made of braided cotton. (The burning part of the candle.)

• Lamp (n): a device that produces light, typically using electricity or fuel.

  • The oil lamp needed a new lamp wick to function properly. (The lamp required a replacement wick.)

Synonyms

• Burner wick: a wick used in a lamp or stove burner.
• Candle wick: a wick specifically for a candle (though the term "lamp wick" is more specific to lamps).

Related Idioms

• To know how to trim the lamp wick: an idiom meaning to have practical knowledge of maintaining a traditional lamp, often used metaphorically for being skilled at small, essential tasks.
  • He grew up in the countryside, so he knows how to trim the lamp wick. (He is experienced with old-fashioned lamps.)

Phrasal Verbs (none directly applicable)

• The term "lamp wick" does not form phrasal verbs, but it can be used with verbs like "trim," "replace," or "adjust."