arc light


noun

Also arc lamp. a lamp in which the light source is a high-intensity electric arc either between carbon rods in air or between metal electrodes in a xenon gas atmosphere enclosed in a quartz bulb.
the light produced by such a lamp.
Compare carbon arc, xenon arc.

Origin of arc light

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

Example sentences from the Web for arc light

British Dictionary definitions for arc light

arc light

noun

a light source in which an arc between two electrodes, usually carbon, produces intense white illumination Also called: arc lamp