Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A lantern carried at night on the taffrail to denote a flagship, or to serve as a signal.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Examples

  • This has three windows directly under the big poop-lantern.

    Hetty Wesley Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch 1903

  • Hazledine in full rig, cocked hat and sword -- he was a lieutenant then as composed as possible, smoking a cigar, which, it appeared, he had got up there for the purpose of lighting at the huge glass lamp, as big as a seventy-four's poop-lantern.

    The Three Lieutenants William Henry Giles Kingston 1847

  • We lacked neither fish, beef, nor mutton; though it is true, that the carcasses of the sheep, after having been dressed by the butcher and hung up under the half-deck, gave us the consolation of knowing, that whilst there was a single one on board, we should never be in want of a poop-lantern, so delicately thin and transparent were the teguments that united the ribs.

    Rattlin the Reefer Edward Howard 1820

  • The night was very dark, and the Lion was the only ship which carried a poop-lantern, so that the parting company of the Dort was not perceived by the admiral and the other ships of the fleet.

    The Phantom Ship Frederick Marryat 1820

  • a gilt crescent in the middle of the blood-red standard that floated over her central poop-lantern; and a chill struck to her heart -- for the thought of African pirates flashed to her mind!

    Wagner, the Wehr-Wolf 1846

Comments

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  • I like the usage on the front page: "as big as a seventy-four's poop-lantern."

    October 25, 2010

  • *determined not to ask about the size of a seventy-four*

    October 29, 2010

  • Oh, and also:

    Were you looking for poop lantern?

    October 29, 2010