lan·tern 
(lăntərn)
(lăntərn)n.
1.
a. An often portable case with transparent or translucent sides for holding and protecting a light.
b. A decorative casing for a light, often of paper.
c. A light and its protective or decorative case.
2.
a. The room at the top of a lighthouse where the light is located.
b. Obsolete A lighthouse.
3. A structure built on top of a roof or dome with open or windowed walls to admit light and air.
[Middle English, from Old French lanterne, from Latin lanterna, from Greek lamptēr, from lampein, to shine.]