Etymology Map
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Lantern

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a lamp with a protective case

Where does the word "lantern" come from? It comes from Latin lanterna, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
lanterna
Latin · ancient
"lamp"
from Greek 'lamptēr', torch, influenced by 'lucerna'
2
Stage 2 of 3
lanterne
Old French · medieval
"lantern"
a protected lamp for carrying
3
Stage 3 of 3
lantern
English · 1200s
"portable lamp"
the variant 'lanthorn' came from horn panels
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Read the full story

Lantern’s story begins in Latin: lanterna meant “lamp.” From Greek 'lamptēr', torch, influenced by 'lucerna'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as lanterne. A protected lamp for carrying. It reached English by 1200s as lantern. The variant 'lanthorn' came from horn panels. Today, lantern means a lamp with a protective case.