spirit-lamp

A scientist heats a beaker over a spirit-lamp.

Definition

spirit-lamp (noun)
A small lamp that burns a volatile liquid fuel, typically methylated spirits or alcohol, used for heating or illumination in laboratory or domestic settings.

Usage Examples

• (A laboratory lamp burning alcohol for controlled heating.)
• (A portable lamp using spirit fuel for cooking or warming.)

Advanced Usage

• "to use a spirit-lamp for sterilization": to employ the lamp's flame to disinfect tools or surfaces.

  • The surgeon sterilized the scalpel over a spirit-lamp before the procedure.
    (The lamp's heat was used to kill germs on the instrument.)

• "spirit-lamp as a heat source in experiments": a common tool in chemistry for gentle, controlled heating.

  • The student adjusted the wick of the spirit-lamp to achieve a steady blue flame.
    (The lamp's flame was regulated for precise thermal application.)

Variants and Related Words

• Spirit (noun): a volatile liquid, such as alcohol or methylated spirit, used as fuel.

  • The lamp requires pure spirit to burn cleanly. (The fuel must be high-quality alcohol.)

• Lamp (noun): a device that produces light or heat by burning a fuel or using electricity.

  • A kerosene lamp is different from a spirit-lamp in fuel type. (Comparison of lamp types.)

Synonyms

• Alcohol lamp: a lamp that burns alcohol, essentially synonymous with spirit-lamp.

  • The alcohol lamp is safer than a gas burner for small tasks.

• Bunsen burner (related, but not identical): a gas burner used in laboratories, often preferred for higher heat.

  • While a Bunsen burner uses natural gas, a spirit-lamp uses liquid fuel.

Related Idioms

• "to burn the midnight oil": to work late into the night (historically, using a lamp; not directly related to spirit-lamp, but evokes similar imagery).

  • She burned the midnight oil studying, her spirit-lamp flickering on the desk. (Extended metaphor for late-night work.)

• "to keep the flame alive": to maintain something (e.g., a tradition or passion); a spirit-lamp's flame can symbolize continuity.

  • The old chemist kept the flame of his craft alive with a spirit-lamp. (Figurative use.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Light up: to ignite the spirit-lamp.

  • He lit up the spirit-lamp carefully to avoid spilling the fuel. (To start the lamp.)

• Blow out: to extinguish the spirit-lamp.

  • Remember to blow out the spirit-lamp after the experiment. (To put out the flame.)