safety-lamp

The miner carries a safety-lamp into the coal tunnel.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A miner's lamp designed to prevent explosions: A "safety-lamp" is a type of lamp used in mines that is constructed to prevent the ignition of flammable gases, such as methane, by enclosing the flame with a wire gauze or other protective material.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The miner carried a safety-lamp into the coal seam to avoid triggering a gas explosion. (A lamp that is safe for use in explosive environments.)
  • With the invention of the safety-lamp, mining became much less hazardous. (A lamp that prevents ignition of dangerous gases.)

Advanced Usage

• "Davy lamp": A specific historical type of safety-lamp invented by Sir Humphry Davy in 1815.
  • The Davy safety-lamp was a breakthrough in mining safety. (A lamp using wire gauze to cool the flame and prevent gas ignition.) Note: This term is a specific subtype, but the general concept is the same.

Variants and Related Words

• Safety (n): the condition of being protected from danger.
  • The lamp's safety features are crucial in the mine. (Protection from harm.)
• Lamp (n): a device that produces light.
  • A standard lamp does not have the protective gauze of a safety-lamp. (A common light source.)

Synonyms

• Miner's lamp: a lamp specifically used by miners.
  • The miner's lamp is often a safety-lamp. (A lamp for underground work.)
• Explosion-proof lamp: a lamp designed to prevent explosions in hazardous environments.
  • The factory uses explosion-proof lamps similar to a safety-lamp. (A lamp that contains any potential explosion.)

Related Idioms

• There are no common idioms directly using "safety-lamp." However, the concept is related to the idiom "safe as houses" (very safe).
  • With a safety-lamp, the mine is as safe as houses. (Very secure from gas explosions.)